Panic Attacks – A Natural Solution

A panic attack can strike without warning and without an obvious reason, bringing with it overwhelming, sometimes paralyzing fear and terror. The experience is far more intense than a feeling of being ‘stressed out’, and terrified victims often report that they thought they were going crazy, losing control, or even having a heart attack.

Panic attacks range from feelings of uneasiness to immobilizing bouts of terror. In this extreme state people experience white-knuckle, heart-pounding terror that strikes suddenly and without warning. Since they can’t predict when these attacks will happen they may live in constant worry that another one could strike at any time.

Panic attack or anxiety attack?

Although panic attacks also happen in people who are suffering other anxiety disorders, there is a difference between anxiety and panic. The actual difference is in the duration and intensity of the symptoms. Panic attacks are episodes that last for only a short time, whilst anxiety attacks occur more gradually and are usually less intense, but lasting for longer periods of time.

If a sufferer has been worrying about having another panic attack for a month or more, or they’ve made significant changes in their behaviour to avoid places where they’ve previously had an attack, they may be diagnosed as suffering a panic disorder. A panic disorder differs from a panic attack because the individual will suffer from frequent and unexpected attacks.

Symptoms of a panic attack

A panic attack happens when the body’s ‘flight or fight’ reaction kicks in at the wrong time. This is an involuntary physiological response that happens when the body is preparing to deal with an emergency or dangerous situation. When stress causes an increase in adrenaline it will cause the body to increase metabolism to quickly produce energy.

The muscles become tense, heart beat and breathing accelerate and the blood composition actually changes slightly. The signs and symptoms of a panic attack reach their fullest intensity within a few minutes and usually fade within 20 minutes, although in some cases they may last up to 30 minutes. It is even possible for someone to experience an attack when awakening from a deep sleep.

Symptoms include;-

• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations, pounding hear or increased heart rate
• Chest pain
• Shaking or trembling
• Feeling of choking
• Sweating, hot or cold flushes
• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal or stomach pain
• Unsteady, dizzy or faint
• Feeling detached from yourself
• Difficulty swallowing
• Numbness or tingling
• Fear of losing control, going crazy or dying

Most people who suffer from panic attacks are in their 20’s and 30’s and it is uncommon for the first attack to be experienced during teenage years or after the age of 40. Even people who are considered emotionally well-adjusted are as prone to panic attacks, which increases the evidence that there is a biochemical reaction responsible for the disorder and that it isn’t purely psychological.

Natural approach to panic attacks

Using natural remedies for panic attacks can often be just as effective as using prescribed medications, plus you don’t get the nasty side effects. Psychotropic drugs can cause many physical side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, sexual problems, drowsiness, heart palpitations and more. Some anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications can even cause more anxiety, which is not helpful in preventing the occurrence of panic attacks!

It seems the medical profession is also in agreement with taking a more natural approach. The UK’s National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines now advises doctors not to prescribe antidepressants as the first treatment option since studies have shown that other types of therapeutic treatments have been more effective. Hypnotherapy, counselling, aromatherapy, relaxing herbal remedies, meditation and yoga are all natural treatments that are known to alleviate this debilitating condition.

How aromatherapy can help

As an aromatherapist I have helped many people who suffered from recurrent panic attacks, and often they would arrive at my practice as a last resort. Panic attacks are often followed by feelings of helplessness, depression and fear, and my clients often say that their greatest fear is they will suffer another attack. Living in dread is obviously very stressful, and this is where aromatherapy can bring relief.

In my experience, the powerful combination of essential oils and massage has often proved to be at least as good, if not better than many other forms of treatment clients had already tried – especially when used in combination with counselling or hypnotherapy. Clearly, to tackle this problem effectively some form of investigative counselling is also needed to discover the root of the problem.

Calming essential oils

Relaxing and calming essential oils such as bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, Roman chamomile, melissa, neroli, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang are relaxing essential oils that instill calmness, and can be used effectively to support other forms of treatment.

For best results use the essential oils in a massage, but they can also be utilized in a bath, vaporized or inhaled from a tissue. Aromatherapy is one of the very finest forms of preventative medicine available today, because when used correctly it helps maintain a relaxed and calm state of mind in our daily lives which leads to better health. This can be very helpful for sufferers to keep recurring panic attacks at bay.

Note – if you suffer from panic attacks you should always seek the advice of your doctor before commencing any form of self treatment.

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