Panic attacks can be treated naturally

Is there anyone who has not experienced some degree of anxiety? It is the most common emotional condition reported in the United States. If you are unfortunate enough to also suffer from panic attacks, I don’t have to tell you how frightening they can be.

There is good news — most often both can be reduced and, in many cases, completely managed without taking medication. As you may be aware, physicians will tell you some anxiety medications often can be habit-forming and potentially addictive.

First, let’s discuss anxiety. Words like nervous, worried and afraid are often associated with this state. That’s not necessarily all bad, you know. You often hear comedians and performers claim that if they haven’t had some degree of stage fright, their performance suffers. That’s also true of many other endeavors in life, in which a degree of tension puts us more on our game. The problem is when the anxious moments don’t end and begin to interfere with one’s ability to function and enjoy life on a daily basis.

Panic attacks are a different matter. They can be frightening, often creating fears of serious illness, loss of control, going crazy and even of dying. I must tell you, however, in my 24 years of practice, I’ve never witnessed a single case in which any of the above fearful results actually occurred.

Nonetheless, the symptoms of panic can be frightening and severely limit normal activity. Some of these are:

• Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea
• Sweating, sometimes profusely
• Fear that you are going crazy or about to die
• Rapid heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing

There are several other symptoms. In some cases, fear of panic attacks can result in limited activity and even confinement to home (agoraphobia). Victims will stop going into stores, group gatherings and even church.

My purpose is to tell you that, in most cases, you have the ability to reduce the severity of anxiety and/or panic disorder. In some cases, medication may temporarily be part of successful treatment. However, there exist many other remedies that work and are natural and otherwise healthy alternatives. The great thing is that once you learn about and practice them, you can take good care of yourself.

Next month, I will discuss self-treatment procedures that will allow you to deal successfully with the stressors that lead to these painful conditions.