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How do medication and therapy work in conjunction to manage symptoms of panic disorder?

Kala Leete

So, from my understanding, medication and therapy work together to manage the symptoms of panic disorder. The medication portion of treatment aims to stabilize the chemicals in the brain that may be causing anxiety and panic attacks. Typically, doctors will prescribe anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants.

Therapy, on the other hand, is a way for the patient to learn how to manage their symptoms without relying solely on medication. Through therapy, individuals can learn coping mechanisms and relaxation techniques that can help them to cope with their symptoms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a commonly used therapy for panic disorder and involves identifying negative thoughts and beliefs and changing them to more positive, constructive ones.

The two combined can help individuals achieve symptom relief and better manage their panic disorder. For me personally, I have found that both medication and therapy have been incredibly helpful in managing my panic disorder. I found that medication really helped to ease some of the physical symptoms associated with panic attacks, such as heart palpitations and sweating. However, taking medication alone did not fully resolve my panic disorder symptoms.

Through therapy, I have been able to develop skills to help me manage my symptoms when they arise. For example, my therapist helped me to identify triggers that may lead to panic attacks and gave me different techniques to use when I start to feel anxious. One technique that I found particularly helpful was practicing deep breathing exercises.

Overall, I believe that medication and therapy work together to address different aspects of panic disorder. Medication helps to provide immediate relief of physical symptoms, while therapy helps individuals to develop long-term strategies for managing their symptoms. It is important to work closely with your healthcare provider to find the right combination of medication and therapy for your individual needs.