General Anxiety or " Panic Attack"

Annie Sawyer, Ph. D.

Anxiety can be a response to a known or completely unknown stimulus or threat. The possibility that someone may attack you from behind or the stage fear of a musician can result in a general anxiety and even in anxiety attack. This form of anxiety is completely normal and many individuals experience this. It may be completely common and even beneficial nervous reaction if framed in its normal proportions. While overpowered, it is reaching the point of a panic attack. This is completely different term despite it is reminding in some way to the general anxiety disorder, being even similar to the fear of an animal, flying or driving car (phobias). Fears of a job loss, taking a school exam, fear to marry or to start proper family are completely legit reactions that are quite common. This is the so called ‘Fight or Flight’ reaction directed and monitored by our sympathetic system. Some people react with Flight while others select the Fight response.

Panic attacks are quite disproportional, unexpected and even sudden hyper-reactions of our nervous system, as they are accompanied by extremely intense physical emotions. A panic attack may mimic a frightening disease reminding on times to a heart attack and another time to a cancer for example. That leads many patients to their GP and holistic practitioners in order to out rule that frightening disease. Associated with a panic attack are similar to certain serious medical conditions, it is important to rule out any medical causes. It is important to note that many people may experience a panic attack once, or even a few times during their lives and may never develop an anxiety disorder.

“Anxiety attacks” that are correlated to specific real dangers are not usually a problem. In fact, this type of anxiety is normal. Since the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks may mimic many other medical and psychological disorders, it is important to review your symptoms with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Symptoms of a panic attack may include:

1. Palpitations (pounding heart), extrasistolias, arrhythmia etc.
2. Feeling of horror or apprehension, for no specific or for an apparent reason
3. Numbness or tingling sensations (paresthesias)
4. Chills, hot waves, sweating, trembling or shaking
5. Shortness of breath or feeling of choking.
6. Chest pain
7. Nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, loss of a balance, vomits and other abdominal distress
8. Sense of detribalization, derealization and depersonalization

9. Feeling of going crazy, fainting or dying

The best holistic way to control the anxiety and panic attacks is to:

1. Use yoga and meditate.
2. Exercise daily and to walk in the nature.
3. Use positive affirmation and cognitive restructuring.
4. Prepare home cooked well balanced meals.
5. Supplement with dietary formulas- vitamins, minerals and super foods.
6. Use relaxing techniques and the help of music.

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.