Panic Anxiety Attacks

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Author:
Tess Thompson

With over 19 million adults affected by them, anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental illnesses in the United States. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks, to name a few, but all of them produce symptoms of excessive fear and dread and can be debilitating to those who suffer from them. Learning how to treat anxiety disorders requires time, practice and patience because in almost all cases, anxiety is best treated by behavioral therapy and not by prescription medication.

Panic attacks are a particularly disabling kind of anxiety disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Panic Disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of intense fear that occur frequently and without warning. Panic attacks can last anywhere from a couple of minutes to over a half hour. Most people who suffer from panic episodes usually experience sweating, trembling, rapid heart beat and shortness of breath, and can sometimes also experience chills, cramps, hot flashes, nausea and dizziness.

Panic Disorder is most effectively treated with a combination of psychotherapy and learned relaxation techniques. Many researchers believe that panic attacks are tied to the body's natural "fight-or-flight" response to danger, and learning to recognize the physiological sensations that accompany this response is an important first step in anxiety relief. Therapy can also focus on identifying the irrational fears that produce attacks (fear of dying, fear of embarrassment...etc) and teaching coping skills. Relaxation and imagery techniques are also commonly taught to help those who suffer from Panic Disorder to alleviate symptoms of panic attacks while they are experiencing them. In all cases, exercises and techniques taught in therapy must be practiced daily in order to be truly effective.

While prescription medication is not usually an appropriate treatment for Panic Disorder, there are natural treatments for anxiety which have been used safely and effectively for centuries to treat symptoms of anxiety. Lavender (or Lavendula Augustifolia) is on of the most popular popular panic attack remedies and is used for its calming properties and its role as a general nervous system tonic. Passion Flower and Lemon Balm are other excellent natural anxiety and panic attack treatments.

If left untreated, Panic Disorder can intensify to a crippling degree and leave some sufferers fearful of even leaving home. Professional help and a true commitment to battling the disorder are necessary components in your ability to overcome your anxiety and to begin to lead a less anxiety-ridden, healthier life.

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Tess Thompson is a Homeopathic Practitioner, Reflexologist, Certified Aromatherapist, and Herbalist who contributes regularly to Native Remedies - where you can find All Natural Homeopathic and Herbal Remedies for many health conditions including natural treatments for anxiety and panic attack treatments.

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Panic Attacks... How To Stop Worrying About Your Anxiety and Starting a Solution for Panic Attack If you suffer from panic attacks, you are for sure seeking for a cure or a solution. Even if there is not a “catch all” cure, there are many strategies you can try to get some relief. Probably the best cure is prevention and getting back more and more control of the situations your mind perceives as threatening and trigger your panic attacks. How does this work? 1) Don’t rely on Panic Attack Medications You should try to reduce the amount of pills you are using to get panic attack relief. This is because they can give addiction and other undesirable side effects, even if you can find some immediate relief. 2) Identify Your Triggers Anxiety and panic attacks come from a sense of loosing control. This will increase your fear and suddenly an uncomfortable feeling about a nasty situation will escalate into a panic attack. This escalation is activated by specific types of triggers. There two things to be known about these triggers: - They are specific to each person (your triggers are different than your friend’s). - They can be of very different nature: fears, mental stress, physical stress, going into particular places, worries… An essential stress in getting back your sense of control is to become aware of these triggers. So get paper and pencil and take track of your panic attacks during the day. Record what happened and what were your thoughts about it. If you can, take a step back and try to record the sequence of thoughts that resolved into a panic escalation. Soon you’ll be identifying patterns, i.e. recurring situations and/or recurring thoughts that are triggering your panic attacks. 3) Improve your Behaviour and your Lifestyle In the meanwhile you have for sure to improve your lifestyle. A stressed life is a frequent source of anxiety. ...