Anxiety Panic Attacks
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 11/19/2007 at 03:03PM
Anxiety Panic Attacks: The Symptoms
As mentioned earlier, anxiety panic attacks can be terrifying and debilitating experiences. The most common physical symptoms include increased heart rate, hyperventilation, chest pain, nausea, vertigo, headaches, and trembling. Panic attacks can also cause emotional and mental symptoms such as depersonalization (lost sense of identity) and derealization (lost touch with reality).Anxiety Panic Attacks: When and Why Do They Occur?
Different people may experience anxiety panic attacks for different reasons and in response to different events. Some people may experience social anxiety, and suffer attacks in social situations in which they fear they may embarrass themselves. Others may have a phobia about a specific object or event (fears of the dark, bridges, water, and dogs are common). These people may experience an anxiety panic attack when they’re confronted with the source of their fear. People who suffer from panic attacks may begin to restrict their behavior in order to avoid the "trigger" of their anxiety. However, this avoidance behavior can cause a pattern of total withdraw as the phobia expands and intensifies.Anxiety Panic Attacks: Breaking the Cycle
Once a person experiences a panic attack in response to a certain situation or object, it’s likely that their fear of that trigger will intensify. Now, they will not only be afraid of the trigger, but of losing control and having another panic attack. The only way to manage these emotions and resume a normal pattern of behavior is to break the cycle of fear and panic. The conventional treatments for anxiety disorders include therapy and medication. Some people choose one type of treatment over the other, while others recover best using a combination of treatments. There are also alternative remedies for panic attacks that utilize treatments such as hypnotherapy, meditation, and homeopathic medicine. Here's a closer look at the some of the treatment methods that can be used to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety panic attacks…Medication
Antidepressants and anti-psychotic medications are both utilized in certain cases where panic attacks are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. While they can successfully regulate brain chemistry, many people experience negative side effects including interactions with other drugs and withdrawal symptoms. In addition, many sufferers will experience a rebound of anxiety when they try to discontinue their medication.Therapy
Several types of psychotherapy can be used to help manage and alleviate the symptoms of anxiety panic attacks. Behavioral therapy helps desensitize the patient to the source of anxiety by slowly confronting their fear in a safe and controlled environment. This type of therapy takes a great deal of work and energy on the part of the patient, but it usually achieves lasting results. Cognitive therapy works on changing the mental and emotional patterns that lead to anxiety attacks. And group therapy is sometimes successful in helping patients connect with the peers to better understand their own symptoms and condition.Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies can be prescribed based on the patient's individual symptoms, the cause of their panic attacks, and the frequency and severity of their occurrence. Agrimony and aspen are useful for mild to moderate anxiety, whereas cherry plum or red chestnut can be used for severe anxiety. Aspen can also be used to treat anxiety panic attacks that occur for no apparent reason.Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a useful treatment method that can help individuals overcome certain phobias. Fear of flying, fear of dogs, stage fright, fear of the dark and fear of water, etc., can all be eased with successful hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy treatment may involve age regression (to uncover the source of the anxiety), suggestion therapy (to reduce the symptoms of panic attacks), and self-hypnosis (to help the sufferer manage symptoms on their own).Meditation
Meditation can be practiced on a regular basis to achieve an overall state of calmness that eases anxious feelings and offers a sense of control. Individuals who have a tendency to become anxious may become dramatically calmer with regular meditation. Meditation can be learned through classes or books, as well as various video and audio formats.Additional Therapies
Anxiety panic attacks can be treated in a number of ways. It’s up to you to determine the method that works best for your needs. It might helpful to use a combination of treatment methods in order to obtain the best possible results. With patience and practice, most people do find relief from their anxiety panic attacks. Don’t hesitate to seek the advice of your health care professional when deciding which course of treatment would work best for you.Learn more about stress, anxiety, depression and the newest natural remedies at www.stress-anxiety-depression.org.
