Scientists don’t know for sure why some people with an anxiety disorder have panic attacks while others don’t. By staying on the cutting edge of research about the areas of the brain that relate to fear and anxiety, clinicians at Northbound Treatment Services are able to create better anxiety and panic disorder treatment plans. For example, recent research looks into the ways in which stress and environmental factors play a role in panic attacks.

It’s important for individuals and their families to recognize that a panic attack is symptomatic of a serious medical condition. Attacks can happen anytime, anywhere and without warning. Eventually, if the attacks become more frequent or severe, the individual may dread another attack and may avoid places where they have had an attack. For some people, fear takes over their lives and they cannot leave their homes.

A Case Study

One Northbound client was a young man who became dependent upon benzodiazepines. He shared, “I was a truck driver and hurt my back. I guess I developed PTSD, which got me started on Klonopin. Then I switched to Lorazepam. Then I graduated to taking five Xanax a day. I got sick of living like a zombie and cut down to two pills a day and then I stopped cold turkey. The panic attacks started while I was kicking benzos. Pretty soon, all I did was sit at home and drink.”

Signs and Symptoms

A panic disorder is a type of an anxiety disorder. Panic attacks, which are sudden feelings of terror for no reason, often have physical symptoms, such as

• Fast heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulty
• Dizziness

The good news is that most people get better with the kind of treatment available at Northbound Treatment Services. We specialize in treating different types of panic disorders and have successfully helped hundreds of clients who were experiencing panic attacks. The first thing a therapist does is show you how to recognize and change thinking patterns before they lead to panic. Of course, panic attacks by their very nature often strike without warning, so therapy will explore much more than thinking patterns.

Medication

Doctors may prescribe medication for panic disorder treatment. The medications that are typically prescribed are for anti-anxiety and antidepressants. The numerous types of anti-anxiety medications are powerful and often begin working right away, but they should never be taken for long periods or without serious necessity.

Antidepressants are clearly useful for depression, but they can also be great for treating a panic disorder. They are much less likely to be abused, but they usually take several weeks before they begin working. Some antidepressants may cause side effects like headaches, nausea, or insomnia. While unpleasant, the side effects are mild and usually not a major problem. At Northbound we focus on the strong fellowship of the 12-steps, a proven provider of relief from anxiety and panic attacks.

Turning It Over

Genuine relief comes from letting go of your worries and turning them over to a higher power. Relief also comes from putting things into perspective and living in the moment. This means not worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet. Thus, effective treatment at Northbound Treatment Services lays the groundwork for healing the mind, body, and spirit. Each client is treated as an individual with their own unique, customized plan. Clients develop connections with other clients and therapeutic alliances with our highly trained staff.

The experienced and compassionate clinical staff sets up a map for each client’s unique process of recovery. This client-centered approach creates the comfort and safety necessary for true healing.