Natural Panic Attack Treatments
Panic attacks are suffered by most people once or twice in their lives. However, approximately 1 out of every 75 people will suffer from a panic or anxiety disorder in which they experience recurring, unpleasant panic attacks. Panic is defined as a "sudden, unreasonable, overpowering fear." Many may have heard the mnemonic for fear as "false evidence appearing real." Fear and/or anxiety is a natural reaction to a truly threatening situation and the body will produce adrenaline to prepare for "fight or flight." However, the body may produce adrenaline from a stimulus that is disproportionately threatening causing an overload of chemicals in the body which contributes to a panic attack.
If panic attacks recur and are not appropriately treated, Panic Disorder can occur. This mental disorder occurs when a person experiences more than one panic attack and then spends more than a month worrying that he/she will have a panic attack so much so that he/she changes behavior patterns to avoid any anxiety-producing situations. Luckily, there are many treatments for Panic Disorder and other anxiety disorders.
Most Popular Natural Panic Attack Treatments
The most important step in treating panic attacks is to rule out any underlying physical or medical conditions that could be contributing to the attacks. After ruling out physical conditions, it is important to make diet and exercise changes. These are the two best natural panic attack treatments. Caffeine intake, lack of sleep, inactivity, and poor nutrition can make the body more susceptible to both physical and mental illness. Adding 20-30 minutes of exercise daily can greatly relax the body and make for a better night's sleep (as well as making a person look and feel better). Yoga and meditation are excellent natural panic attack treatments because they teach the mind to focus on one thing at a time. When the mind is focused it cannot wander and worry itself into a panicked state. Once diet and exercise have been added, other lifestyle changes may need to be made. If a person's job is a constant source of stress, maybe it is time to look for something different.
There are many medication-free psychological remedies to treat panic attacks. Cognitive-behavioral therapy uses an approach that teaches patients to change their thought and behavior patterns to combat anxiety-producing thoughts. Patients can be taught diversion techniques to shift their thoughts into healthier directions. Cognitive-behavioral therapists also utilize exposure therapy to help patients overcome specific sources of panic attacks such as phobias. A final and excellent natural panic attack treatment is to increase one's support group either by developing and maintaining close relationships with family and friends or by joining an actual support group for panic attack sufferers. Sharing experiences and learning natural panic attack treatments and tips that have been successful for others can ease the mind of a panic attack sufferer.
