Medications for Anxiety and Panic Attacks Part Two

 In the first part of Medications for Anxiety And Panic Attacks I gave a bit of an overview of the treatment of panic attacks (including my personal opinion that too often people rely solely on medications the exclusion of other effective treatments) and discuss the use of sedatives and antidepressants.

On this page I want to one more class of drugs and then some things up.

Beta Blockers

The term Beta blockers refers to drugs that block the action of adrenaline on some cells. Hormones work by binding onto receptor sites on the walls of cells. If something bloks the receptor site the hormone has no effect.

Cells have alpha and beta receptor sites for adrenaline. Beta blockers block the beta receptors.

This has the effect of slowing heat rate and lowering blood pressure. For these effects physicians often use them to treat high blood pressure and other heart problems.

If a racing pulse and pounding heart are part of a person’s panic attack symptoms, some docs try low dose beta blockers to see if they help.

I don’t know anyone who’s used them for that (my brother takes them for his high blood pressure and does OK), but I did find a interesting trivia fact when I was researching beta blockers.

Apparently these are the “underground” drugs of choice for classical musicians. Apparently, some of these musicianshave concern that their stage fright and performance anxiety and the resulting jitters will interfere with the fine motor skills they need to perform at the professional level. By blocking some of the effects of circulating adrenaline they think they perform better.

Summary

Let me end where I began. You already know that I think medications are only part of the answer. But I also know that they can be a real blessing for many people as part of an overall approach. They relieve symptoms and allow a person to function better and participate in their other therapies better. So don’t let my bias discourage you from taking these medications if you and your therapist feel you might benefit.

Just be sure you make an informed and considered decision as part of an overall plan for treatment. If drugs are the only treatment a doctor recommends, I suggest you find another doctor.

I like the comments of R. Reid Wilson, Ph.D., a skilled psychotherapist specializing in anxiety disorders. He writes:

“Complex problems do not have simple solutions, although many people will look for a quick cure and a magic pill. If they can find a sympathetic physician, they will begin a regimen of medications as their only means of removing all discomfort. Unfortunately, reports in the media that present a limited analysis of a complex problem reinforce the belief that medications are the only answer. By deciding to believe that they have an uncontrollable physical disorder, some patients surrender themselves to anxiety and panic. And in the process, they lose self-esteem, determination, and the willingness to trust in the healing power of their body and mind. They remain dependent on medications, physicians, friends, and family as they continue to limit their personal freedom.”

Panic attacks are not a simple problem and there is no magic pill.

I like the line: “By deciding to believe that they have an uncontrollable physical disorder...”

The word "deciding" implies that we have a choice, we can take control or not. I think one of the most important first steps in beating anxiety is to decide to take control.

I hope the information on this site helps you do just that.

Here's an extremely effective program that will put you in control of your panic and anxiety problems much quicker than you may believe possible:

Panic Away