Panic disorder or panic attack refers to a particular condition when an individual experiences an episode characterizing acute anxiety and fear. Such anxiety attacks occur abruptly out of nowhere. Panic attacks never come with a prior signal or warning of any kind.
Due to panic disorder, the episode that occurs is precisely termed a panic attack. Panic attacks tend to last for a couple of minutes or may even lead to hours at a stretch.
Panic attacks more often than not revert once in a while. But for patients who are seriously disturbed, panic attacks may take place at frequent intervals causing a lot of discomfort and distress.
There is always a trigger or a cause that leads to severe anxiety. This gives rise to a panic attack or anxiety attack. However, no medical study today has been able to reveal which is the particular trigger that initiates such severe anxiety.
The diagnosis for symptoms of anxiety attacks is carried out after a person experiences at least two panic attacks back to back without any known reason. These situations are often followed by a continued phase of fear from the fact that such an anxiety attack may revert any time soon.
What happens during panic attacks?
Panic attacks and the associated severe anxiety, are conditions that if left unattended can lead to grave conditions which can worsen the mental and physical health of an individual to a large extent.
Panic attacks are often accompanied by physical conditions (panic attack symptoms) including:
- Severe trembling and shaking
- Short breaths along with a pounding and racing feeling in the heart
- Continuous and a lot of sweating
- Severe anxiety may lead to immense pain in the chest along with an overall feeling of discomfort
- Nausea and dizziness
- A choking feeling
- Weakness and cramps
- A tingling sensation with numbness in the limbs
- Hot flashes, chills and out of the body feeling
How to deal with panic attacks/anxiety attacks?
Treatment of panic disorder can often be carried out in natural ways which are hugely effective.
Steps to treating panic disorder naturally:
STEP I> First and foremost if someone suffers from panic attack symptoms one should immediately talk to a health-care professional. The latter will be able to give him/her an idea of the various behavior modification therapies that can prove to be advantageous in the treatment of panic attacks. One of the most effective therapies is Cognitive Behavior Therapy which particularly focuses on anxiety attacks and panic disorder. The CBT technique tries to trace the panic attacks causes and thereon focus on them in particular replacing certain unacceptable responses and behaviors with more acceptable ones.
STEP II> The Next technique on the list that treats severe anxiety and panic disorder is Interoceptive Exposure Therapy. In this technique, the panic attack symptoms are particularly triggered so that the therapist can make the patient understand that there will be no real harm caused to him/her as such. This particular treatment for panic attacks can be a little risky at times. But that doesn’t diminish the fact that this technique is one of the most effective and natural ways of treating panic disorder.
STEP III> Patients suffering from panic attacks and panic disorder can be asked to start a strict exercise regime and continue it regularly for an extended period. These panic attack treatment methods can include tai chi, deep breathing exercises, stretching exercises and yoga. Such physical activity helps eliminate the pent-up stress which is often a significant cause leading to severe anxiety and panic attacks.
STEP IV> Patients suffering from severe anxiety and panic attack symptoms should always avoid such stimulants in their diet that can act as potential panic attack causes. These may include elements like caffeine and sugar that can more often than not lead to panic disorder and anxiety attacks. Often these stimulants if taken can cause jittery feelings of irritability with nervousness. In such situations triggering a panic attack is quite possible.
STEP V> Another very effective natural way of treating panic disorder is by picking on particular herbal formulas and vitamin supplements that are specially meant for the treatment of panic attacks. Vitamin B-complex is clinically proven to have an immense effect in calming an individual and balancing his mental state when experiencing a panic attack. Other herbal supplements that may also come in handy in the treatment of panic attacks are herbal tea, evening primrose oil, valerian root, flaxseed oil and chamomile to name a few.
Medical Treatment for Panic Attacks:
More often than not severe anxiety and panic disorder is treated with relaxation and reassurance techniques. In case there is a chance of a cardiac arrest due to severe anxiety aspirin, Valium or Antivan may also be given. Some of the other selective options for the treatment of panic attacks are the Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) including paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and fluvoxamine (Luvox).