| Panic attacks are something you want to stop | | | | Commitment to a particular view of existence and |
| yesterday, if that were possible. Aside from the | | | | meaning can motivate us in various directions. So can |
| acute sense of fear--terror, really--there's the | | | | religious practices. Some aspects of spirituality and |
| uncertainty whether one will live, the heart | | | | religion may and do serve in the cause of ending |
| palpitations, rapid breathing, dizziness, numbness, | | | | panic attacks. |
| sweating, stomach pains, dry mouth, whatever. | | | | II. Physical approaches to ending panic attacks |
| Frequency, length, and even symptoms of attacks | | | | A. Slow breathing exercises |
| may vary, but always one wants them to end fast. | | | | Hyperventilation is a very common symptom of panic |
| The first step in ending panic attacks is recognizing | | | | attacks, and also a very common cause. We |
| that they are not harmful and that they come and | | | | hyperventilate because we fear, and our fear |
| go. This of course presumes that other diagnoses | | | | escalates because we hyperventilate. Contrary to |
| have been ruled out, like things that are imminently | | | | what we think, hyperventilation decreases the |
| dangerous. Take real heart attacks or real danger | | | | oxygen and blood flow in our brains, thus often giving |
| from domestic violence as examples. | | | | us a sense of dizziness, light-headedness, numbness |
| Then again, panic attacks often serve as warnings of | | | | in extremities, sense of unreality, and contributing to |
| other problems that need to be managed, like past | | | | our feeling as if we are dying. |
| emotional trauma or asthma. That is, various | | | | Faithful and regular exercises in measured, slow |
| psychological and/or physical causes and influences | | | | breathing through the nose from the diaphragm |
| may need to be addressed in order to end | | | | prepares us effectively to control panic attack when |
| susceptibility to panic attacks. | | | | they come. Ideally, one should have about six slow, |
| Fortunately, there are also ways and means | | | | deep breaths per minute when at rest, but one may |
| commonly helpful in controlling or eliminating panic | | | | need to work toward that goal in stages and via |
| disorder. These can be more powerful when used in | | | | more than just breathing exercises. |
| some combination that is right for the individual. | | | | Note also that a very noticeable percentage of panic |
| I. Psychological approaches to ending panic attacks | | | | attack sufferers are asthmatic... or will be after some |
| A. Therapies | | | | bouts with panic attacks. While slow, deep, nasal |
| The goal of various psychological therapies applied to | | | | breathing will often alleviate asthma, other methods |
| panic disorder seems largely to be to help the | | | | may be required. Asthma sufferers often have the |
| sufferer (or patient) gain encouraging and positive | | | | parasite Ascaris in the lungs, and may have metal |
| new perspectives and to face fears of the past and | | | | poisoning (such as mercury, nickel, lead, vanadium, |
| possible fear-inducing outcomes of the future with | | | | cadmium, and aluminum), fungal growth, a toxic living |
| courage, hope, and a sense of emotional equilibrium. | | | | environment, negative reactions to certain foods, |
| Or during an attack, the goal is to short-circuit | | | | Irritable Bowl Syndrome and other problems that |
| fear-inducing thoughts and things that cause anxiety | | | | need attention. |
| to spiral out of control, like hyperventilation. | | | | B. Physical exercise |
| Therapies generally address thoughts, speech, and | | | | Regular physical exercise elevates mood, helps the |
| behavior as they impinge on anxiety and panic. | | | | body flush out toxins, and has a variety of positive |
| Sometimes such behavior-based therapy is applied in | | | | influences, some of which indirectly aid in fighting |
| conjunction with physical means of manipulating the | | | | panic attacks and other emotion-related problems like |
| nervous system such as drugs, visual oscillation, | | | | depression. Unfortunately, exercise may be difficult |
| certain exercises, massage and so on. | | | | for people with asthma and other health problems. |
| Therapies generally are conducted by trained | | | | Seeking a doctor's advice is advised, possibly along |
| practitioners, and therefore tend to be relatively | | | | with the use of HEPA filters, air purifiers, particle |
| expensive, but worth it when effective. Numbers of | | | | masks for the face, and care to avoid certain |
| sessions varies. Group counseling sessions where | | | | situations or over-exertion. |
| available may be less expensive, but not appropriate | | | | C. Nutrition |
| in every case. In some cases, counselors or | | | | An unbalanced, deficient or otherwise inappropriate |
| professionals with varying expertise may be needed | | | | diet can and does have an affect on mood and panic. |
| to address different client issues, each issue being a | | | | Panic attack sufferers usually should avoid caffeine, |
| background influence on panic. | | | | sugar, alcohol, and recreational drugs. |
| In all this too, the patient or client is his or her best | | | | And there are amino acids, vitamins, minerals, |
| doctor, however much help one may require. The | | | | homeopathics, and herbs that have been observed |
| individual panic attack sufferer is the one who must | | | | to have a calming or sedating influence, partly |
| exercise the will, intellect, and energy to progress. | | | | depending on the individual. Examples of these are |
| Therapy reminds us we do not need to face our | | | | GABA, 5-HTP, B-vitamins, magnesium, the essential oil |
| problems alone or without guidance. | | | | of Lavender (not for internal use), Lemon Balm, and |
| B. Spirituality | | | | Valerian. |
| Of course there is often much overlap between | | | | However, if you are already taking prescription drugs |
| "secular and sacred" modalities, but the point here is | | | | for panic, asthma, or anything else, it is advisable to |
| that there may be methods of approach unique to a | | | | consult your doctor before taking calming nutritional |
| particular religion. Meditation, prayer, acts of service | | | | materials, especially herbs, since there may be |
| to others, and ritual may fall in this category. Perhaps | | | | complications. Pregnant and lactating mothers should |
| more importantly, everyone has a view of the way | | | | be particularly careful to obtain medical advice. |
| the universe is, a reason to live and a purpose which | | | | All in all, an integrated approach of the psychological |
| is deeply rooted in beliefs and presuppositions | | | | and physical may be best for ending panic attacks |
| however else such views may be supported. | | | | according to proven successes and individual needs. |