“Can antidepressants help with panic attacks?”
I have panic attacks. Can antidepressants help with panic attacks?
4 Answers
PsychiatristPsychiatrist
Hello,Thank you for your question! Yes, antidepressants can help with panic attacks!Treating panic disorder with medication is often recommended when symptoms persist despite efforts to control them through therapy and self-help strategies. Medication may also be suggested when panic disorder has become so extreme that it affects daily functioning. Medical professionals typically prescribe an antidepressant for panic disorder, usually from the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These drugs can relieve feelings of anxiety and reduce depression symptoms, which often coexist with panic disorder. Benzodiazepine tranquilizers are another class of drugs that can ease anxiety and alleviate panic. There is some potential for abuse with these medications. They may also lead to physical dependence if they are taken over a long enough period of time. I hope this information has been helpful! Best, Jenna Torres, PsyD LifeStance Health 626-239-9320
I am very sorry, but questions regarding the use of medications to treat specific disorders, is really a question for a psychiatrist or prescribing psychologist. There are multiple types of antidepressant medication and the indication for use, or off label use, would best be answered by someone who provides pharmacological treatments.