QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
Last year I was studying for my last college final. I was under an abnormal amount of stress because this particular test would determine whether I graduated summa-cum lade or magna-cum lade. After hours of studying, I began to experience what I have now learned was a panic attack. I began shivering, my resting heart rate was twice its usual rate, and I felt terribly frightened. I thought it was an isolated event until late last week. I was schedule to have surgery, and became very nervous about it. So nervous, that I started to have another attack, hyper-ventilated, and was rushed to the E.R. The attending physician prescribed Valium, 1-2 5 mg tabs every 6 hours. I have since had the surgery, but now I worry so much about having another one, that it induces another attack. I am afraid to take the Valium because I have read that once I stop, I may be more prone to attacks. Any suggestions?
ANSWER:
There are many non-addicting medications that can get rid of panic attacks. If the
generalized anxiety disorder hasn't been there all your life, you'd likely to
very well on Paxil 40mg daily.
Panic disorder is recurrent. SSRI medications like Paxil and Prozac can be of great help.
Benzodiazepines like Valium are also very helpful, but are addicting. The ones most
commonly used for panic disorder are Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin.
Treating any other underlying diagnoses is very important, and my
screening
test may be of enormous assistance to you.
