Anxiety and Panic Attacks. What They Are and How They Arise
Before exploring the main natural remedies for anxiety and panic attacks, let’s first understand what these fairly common disorders consist of.
Anxiety and panic attacks are both psychological disorders.
Anxiety can manifest as distress, fear in social situations, phobias, or full-blown panic attacks.
Every form of anxiety is deeply personal and often stems from accumulated stress. In reality, anxiety is a form of defense and protection: our body’s natural response to perceived danger. These internal alarm bells are triggered by the central nervous system, which reacts to threats with protective responses. These reactions vary from person to person, depending on their subjective evaluation of whether or not they can overcome the challenge.
Panic attacks arise from an overstimulation of the central nervous system in an anxious person who, in a particular situation, wrongly perceives danger or feels incapable of coping. In this case, fear fuels more fear and the body reacts with a combination of psychological and physical symptoms.
A person experiencing a panic attack often suffers from intense symptoms such as:
- Tremors
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) and palpitations
- Difficulty breathing or a sensation of suffocation
- Excessive sweating
- Gastrointestinal discomfort and frequent urges to use the bathroom
- Mental confusion and dizziness
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Chest pain
- A lump in the throat
- Vertigo
Panic attacks occur suddenly, often without warning and usually last between 2 and 10 minutes.
People with specific phobias may also experience panic attacks if exposed to the object of their fear.
Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Pharmacological Remedies
To address anxiety and panic attacks, psychotherapy and pharmacological therapy are commonly used, often in combination. The main types of medication include:
- Anxiolytics
- Antidepressants
- Beta-blockers
It’s essential for a medical professional to diagnose the root cause of the anxiety and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
🌿 Natural Remedies for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Natural approaches can be highly effective in managing anxiety and preventing panic attacks, especially when combined with a healthy lifestyle. Herbal supplements such as ashwagandha, passionflower, valerian root and chamomile have calming properties that help reduce nervous tension and promote emotional balance. Aromatherapy with essential oils like lavender, bergamot, or frankincense can also support relaxation through sensory pathways. Practicing mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation helps to regulate the nervous system and lower stress levels. These natural remedies, while gentle, can be powerful allies in restoring calm and mental clarity, without the side effects associated with long-term medication.
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