And in many cases another common disorder occurs in depression. Because so many of the physical symptoms are common to other mental and medical conditions, choosing a physician is a very important step in seeking treatment for panic disorder. A psychiatrist is a specialist who understands mental illnesses, who can make an appropriate diagnosis and who can prescribe a proper treatment and is probably the best choice. A proper diagnosis in the beginning can eliminate ineffective treatments and patient frustration. The most effective treatments usually include medication, cognitive and behavioral therapy, or a combination of these.
Medication helps level the chemical imbalances in the brain.
Some prescriptions that have proven effective are tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors and benzodiazepines. These help prevent attacks or reduce their frequency and severity. Cognitive and behavior therapies are designed to change the way a person thinks and acts. Cognitive therapy involves helping patients understand how their thinking patterns contribute to their symptoms and how to change their thoughts to reduce or prevent the symptoms. In behavioral therapy, psychiatrists expose patients to the feared place or situation on a gradual basis, teaching them to use relaxation exercises, until the fear is reduced or eliminated.