Natural Remedies for Panic Attacks
Have you ever experienced a panic attack? Well, if you haven’t, you likely know someone who has. It is quite unnerving and anyone would much rather do without it. The secret to living free from panic attacks lies in understanding its causal factors.
One of the major causes of panic attacks is as the body’s response to stress. High stress levels result in the production of certain hormones in the body. When the levels of these hormones remain high, then this creates a sort of imbalance in the body which can lead to a variety of reactions; one of them is the panic attack.
Therefore, the most effective natural remedies for the condition are aimed at controlling stress levels. If these are maintained at manageable levels, then the chances of escalation into a panic attack are greatly reduced. Some of the common herbs used to this effect are chamomile and valerian. They are common prescriptions for insomniacs and work by relaxing the mind and body. Another one is the Indian herb referred to as the Holy basil which acts to increase the body’s capacity to handle anxiety. Lavender and lemon-balm have also been successful in regulating the symptoms of the condition.
The biggest problem associated with panic attacks is that once someone experiences one, chances are they will develop intense fear of the attack; this fear is what may very well trigger the next attack. Every time they go through a situation similar to what triggered the previous attack therefore, the subconscious prepares panic attack as the response.
Therefore, another natural remedy will involve effort to de-condition the mind. You need to prepare yourself to deal with such a situation in advance. In order for the body to initiate a panic attack, the mind has most likely interpreted a situation as life threatening. This is what needs to be addressed, to persuade the mind that particular situations are not unmanageable.
In stressful situations or during a panic attack, the body tends to use up certain reserves associated with managing anxiety levels. Such elements as Magnesium and certain Vitamins are depleted in a bid to restore normalcy. For as long as their levels remain low, the body remains prone to subsequent attacks because its ability to regulate stress is hampered.
Therefore, after a panic attack, and even during periods of heightened stress, you need to supplement these important compounds in order to restore your body to optimum stress-fighting capacity.
Your panic attack episodes may however be caused by other conditions that are not related to stress. Cardiac problems, thyroid disorders, low levels of estrogen may all be the culprits. Thus, it is essential that before you start self medicating for the condition, consult a doctor and rule out all the other causes.
Before establishing its cause, you could benefit from keeping your body PH levels in check. An imbalance in acidity levels results from consumption of processed foods and stimulants and also contributes to attacks. Vegetables on the other hand balance the acid.
