What natural means can help a person with panic attacks?
The panic attacks accompany heart arrythmias and happen when she is resting, mostly when she is falling to sleep
Behavioral therapy to learn techniques to minimize the sense of fear
Also, about 3-4 liters of electrolyte water a day (not regular, electrolyte so it properly hydrates) ..sometimes panic attacks are stimulated by dehydration
for women: iron supplements help
vitamins
regular exercise/yoga too
regular sleep patterns and up to 7 hrs or more a night
much less sugar and of course, try to eliminate or really cut down on caffeine
meditation
Learn breathing practices (google, there are websites that talk about helpful breathing techniques that have proven to lower BP and lower anxiety almost immediately).
Omega supplements
calming herbal teas
Valarian root (stay away from Kava Kava – there is much debate about it: also does not combine well with SSRI’s)
Walking
Basic lifestyle stuff: evaluate people/places/situations that are high stress and work to minimize or eliminate them from your life
cut down or eliminate alcohol and drugs
cut down on smoking (dehydrates and leeches vital nutrients as well nicotine is a stimulant. also it restricts blood flow and oxygen supply which can provoke an attack)
Keep a journal or blog for emotional release
see a therapist if you feel the draw to do so
learn to say No and feel comfortable with it
Find social activities that are uplifting with positive people
If depression is present, look into St. Johns Wort in combination with Valarian root. Chamomile tea at night. Also, look into light therapy (even if it means going to the tanning salon once a week).
If she is taking medication for heart issues, or MAO or SSRI’s then do not take St. Johns Wort and Valarian. Also – if she is taking any over the counter weight loss supplements – Stop. Those are very stressful on the heart especially when taken consistently.
Panic attacks often happen when we are relaxing as the ‘fight or flight’ chemicals that are released during stressful times are not used (we don’t actually RUN away) are then absorbed into the muscles and then released into the blood stream when we are relaxed leading to the heart pounding, restrictive throat, feeling like having a heart attack at random ,relaxed times. Taking measure to help the body detox or counter this biological reaction is a good start, as well taking measures to calm situations or learn good stress relief techniques (like just breathing techniques – super easy, really useful) is a more long term solution. Try these techniques and, when she drawn to it, see a doctor and/or psychologist and make sure there isn’t an underlying biological or psychological issue (sometimes people come down with allergies or adult asthma or they just could use someone to talk to for a bit). Panic attacks are common and can be managed and even eliminated often with simple lifestyle changes like the ones I listed.
Sorry to blab on but I know a lot of people who went through this and the stuff I listed seemed to work for them. Good luck!
Comments
Comment from maiann g
Time February 12, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Behavioral therapy to learn techniques to minimize the sense of fear
Also, about 3-4 liters of electrolyte water a day (not regular, electrolyte so it properly hydrates) ..sometimes panic attacks are stimulated by dehydration
for women: iron supplements help
vitamins
regular exercise/yoga too
regular sleep patterns and up to 7 hrs or more a night
much less sugar and of course, try to eliminate or really cut down on caffeine
meditation
Learn breathing practices (google, there are websites that talk about helpful breathing techniques that have proven to lower BP and lower anxiety almost immediately).
Omega supplements
calming herbal teas
Valarian root (stay away from Kava Kava – there is much debate about it: also does not combine well with SSRI’s)
Walking
Basic lifestyle stuff: evaluate people/places/situations that are high stress and work to minimize or eliminate them from your life
cut down or eliminate alcohol and drugs
cut down on smoking (dehydrates and leeches vital nutrients as well nicotine is a stimulant. also it restricts blood flow and oxygen supply which can provoke an attack)
Keep a journal or blog for emotional release
see a therapist if you feel the draw to do so
learn to say No and feel comfortable with it
Find social activities that are uplifting with positive people
If depression is present, look into St. Johns Wort in combination with Valarian root. Chamomile tea at night. Also, look into light therapy (even if it means going to the tanning salon once a week).
If she is taking medication for heart issues, or MAO or SSRI’s then do not take St. Johns Wort and Valarian. Also – if she is taking any over the counter weight loss supplements – Stop. Those are very stressful on the heart especially when taken consistently.
Panic attacks often happen when we are relaxing as the ‘fight or flight’ chemicals that are released during stressful times are not used (we don’t actually RUN away) are then absorbed into the muscles and then released into the blood stream when we are relaxed leading to the heart pounding, restrictive throat, feeling like having a heart attack at random ,relaxed times. Taking measure to help the body detox or counter this biological reaction is a good start, as well taking measures to calm situations or learn good stress relief techniques (like just breathing techniques – super easy, really useful) is a more long term solution. Try these techniques and, when she drawn to it, see a doctor and/or psychologist and make sure there isn’t an underlying biological or psychological issue (sometimes people come down with allergies or adult asthma or they just could use someone to talk to for a bit). Panic attacks are common and can be managed and even eliminated often with simple lifestyle changes like the ones I listed.
Sorry to blab on but I know a lot of people who went through this and the stuff I listed seemed to work for them. Good luck!
References :
Comment from Tim Br
Time February 12, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Eliminate stress in your life.
References :
Comment from Simon G
Time February 12, 2010 at 9:28 pm
you should see this
http://301url.com/panicaway
References :
Comment from R S
Time February 12, 2010 at 10:08 pm
I used to have a very rough time with anxiety and panic attacks. I found the program at:
and it really helped me get over them. It took about 2 weeks or so for me to really absorb what the program teaches, but once I did I made progress quick. I tried a few other programs that stunk, so I’m glad I gave this one a try because it made all the difference. The support that they offered was great, and it was quite a bit cheaper than the other garbage I bought. Considering the support, it was a bargain. About 1/3 of what my therapist was charging an hour to accomplish nothing. I haven’t had a panic attack in YEARS.
References :
Comment from sissy66kaye
Time February 12, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Focused breathing. Concentrating on her breathing. Think while breathing in, "Breath in through my nose", this is a deep inhale, then on the exhale think, "Breath out through my mouth". On the pause between breaths, think…"relax". This should calm her before or during a panic attack as it relaxes the body and requires all the attention to be focused on the breathing….not what might be going on in the mind.
References :