There are many different healing approaches to healing anxiety, and each person responds differently to each approach. Some of the approaches used to treat anxiety is; medication, cognitive-behavioural therapy, meditation, physical movement techniques, and herbal therapies. For the purpose of this article we will be looking into some of the herbal cures for anxiety, and just how effective they can be in treating the disorder. The first step in treating anxiety disorder however is being diagnosed, and then the proper remedies can be supplied. Here are some herbal cures for anxiety.

Stress relieving teas:

Green tea as well as chamomile tea both have very strong calming and sedative properties. Chamomile is a flowering plant which has been used for centuries in Europe and Asia for its medicinal properties. It has anti inflammatory properties and has been used for a wide range of problems, but one of its most important benefits is its tranquilizing effects. The active ingredient in Chamomile called Apigenin, is responsible for its sedative and anti-anxiety powers. Sipping chamomile tea has been clinically proven to have a significant effect on mild anxiety and stress.

Green tea is another herb which many people report, leaves them feeling calm and relaxed, I happen to be one of those people. I started drinking Green Tea, to reduce inflammation in my body, but what I found was that drinking green tea immediately made me more relaxed and calm.

Other powerful herbs:

Both Valerian and St. John’s Wort have been shown to have a anti-anxiety and sedative effect on the mind and body. St. Johns’ Wort is a herb which is primarily used in the treatment of depression, however studies indicate that it may also have an effect on general anxiety. Valerian is a perennial flowering plant which may affect the same brain pathways as anti-anxiety drugs like Xanax (known as benzodiazepines). These two herbs can be taken in conjunction to offer relief from anxiety, and its symptoms.

Remember that herbs are very powerful, and can also have side effects, speak to your doctor or research the contra-indications before self-administration.

However, if you are constantly feeling like something heavy is resting on your chest and that you would rather hide your head under a pillow than deal with the day ahead, you might need some help dealing with your anxiety. Other symptoms may include headaches, stiff muscles, a dry mouth and constant fatigue – just to name a few.

I am not suggesting that you should make an immediate appointment with a psychiatrist and start taking the strongest available medicine on the market. Many anxiety natural remedies are available and even a change in your lifestyle or the way you deal with your feelings can make a huge difference.

Before advanced medicines were available, people turned to herbs for relief of many ailments and symptoms. The herb passionflower was widely used for relief of anxiety and even insomnia. As with all medicines or ointments it is still advisable to consult with a physician before you start experimenting with anxiety natural remedies. The abovementioned herb for example, caused side effects in some cases. These included an increased heartbeat, nausea, vomiting and drowsiness.

Other anxiety natural remedies come in the form of bodywork. By spoiling yourself with a relaxing massage for example, you can eliminate a lot of those stressed muscles which will in turn relieve tension and lead to improved sleep. If left unattended, anxiety symptoms can form a vicious circle: First you are slightly anxious, then your muscles start to tense up. Then you get more anxious because of your tense muscles, which in turn leads to even stiffer muscles and more tension… can you see what I am getting at?

Constant anxiety will eventually take a heavy toll. You can lie awake at night and end up irritable and edgy during the day. This will also impact on your relationships with friends and family as you will be like a ticking time bomb, just waiting to explode.

It is possible to control your anxiety to a certain extent – this of course depends on the level of your anxiety and not all cases are the same. Some people have found that they can force themselves to worry at a certain time of the day. This might sound very weird, but think about it this way: If you allow yourself 30 minutes to worry at a specific time of the day, your “worry period” is over and done with and you are left with a worry-free remainder of the day. You are in control of your thoughts and your mind – why not give it a try?

Everyone suffers of anxiety now and again - once it starts consuming you it’s time to seek professional advice!

There are so many people struggling to find natural cures for panic attacks, because, let’s be honest, it’s not just another disease. Many have been searching for a cure or even just a reliever, but have come up empty handed. With a condition like this, you are never sure. Some remedies may work for you, others may not. It is safe to say, decreasing one’s anxiety levels will obviously decrease the amount of panic attacks suffered. So, why not try a couple of treatments that will help you lower your anxiety levels?

Among the natural cures for panic attacks, or moreover, anxiety, you will find that there are different types of cures: breathing techniques, medicinal solutions, herbs and plant etc. Herbal or natural cures is beneficial, because they do not have the side effects that medicinal cures have and frankly, many of these herbs and cures have been used for thousands of years already.
- Passion flower: The passion flower acts in a similar way to benzodiazepine, a prescribed drug to treat anxiety. Yes, it does have some side effects, but they are minimal and worth the try.
- Valerian: Valerian is another herb among natural cures for panic attacks or anxiety. It is also available in a tablet form, but I would prefer the more natural approach of herbal tea.
- Kava Herb: Yet another popular, Chinese herb used in the treatment of anxiety.

Breathing techniques are also among the great natural cures for panic attacks. It has been used for thousands of years but is still used today, in the form of yoga and meditation. Homeopathic remedies are diluted amounts of various herbs that can be effective natural cures for panic attacks. There really is so much more information on the internet about natural cures for panic attacks. I advise anyone that is suffering from this condition to look up and find as much information as possible and try them out to see which ones work and which ones does not. Good luck.

As far as natural cures for panic attacks go, this is probably one of the most successful. This is because it uses the brain’s processing power to solve the problem of the panic attacks.

The theory behind it is simple, but putting it into practice can be very challenging and may take months to have a noticeable effect. The theory is that the panic attacks occur because of a maladaptive response in the brain to certain stimuli. The trick is to retrain the brain to react correctly to those stimuli.

The process is simple.

First the stimulus has to be isolated. This could be being in a crowd or driving a car or being stuck in traffic or even just being in a lift. Once it is know what triggers the panic attack the next thing to be done is to isolate the thought processes that actually result in the panic attack.

They are often thoughts of helplessness or extreme fear which is often unfounded and completely illogical. These thoughts basically trigger an extreme flight or flight response which causes adrenaline to course through the system and the autonomic nervous system to kick in. This is what causes the generally flustered feeling, racing heart, sweating and other symptoms of adrenaline.

The next thing is to retrain those thought patterns into something that is more appropriate. The person has to catch the thoughts in action and redirect them before a panic attack ensues. This is often the most trick y par as it requires a lot of self discipline and self awareness to capture those thoughts. As time goes on, it becomes easier and easier to redirect the thoughts that cause the panic attack until it eventually becomes an automatic response and the panic attacks no longer occur.

Cognitive behaviour therapy has been used successfully in a number of different psychological ailments, including manic depression and attention-deficit disorder. The underlying theory is that our thoughts determine our behaviour and if we can change those thoughts, then we can more easily change the behaviour. It is almost like exchanging a bad habit for a good one.

So, for those who do not like to take drugs to stop their panic attacks or cannot believe that herbs can actually help the problem, look into cognitive behavioural therapy as one of the more successful natural cures for panic attacks. It does take time to take effect and does require a lot of self discipline and hard work, but you can get rid of your panic attacks for good without having to rely on drugs for the rest of your life to manage the problem.

Which anxiety or panic attack treatment should you choose?

For most of us it comes as a shock that physically there is nothing wrong with us. We really are well. This is very hard to accept.

Why?

Because every fibre in our bodies is telling us - shouting, actually - that something has happened or is about to happen.

Our bodies are right … but off-track. The ’something’ lies on a different level than the bodily. And this is not palatable at all. Why? Because it borders on being weak or even mentally unbalanced. We’d rahter be ill than weak.

Admitting to the ‘weakness’ of succumbing to panic attacks is humiliating. It makes us feel incompetent and inadequate, and frighteningly exposed.

Often it takes us a long time to reach the point that we will admit that we are experiencing anxiety panic attacks. Many of us go the route of visiting every kind of specialist, hoping that one of them will pinpoint our exact problem. When none does and when all tests show nothing most of us try alternative therapists.

Sometimes a therapy may give temporary relief but usually our fear that something is wrong returns and we get another panic attack. Which proves to us that they are wrong, they do not know what they are talking about. Something is wrong. We know it.

One or two doctors, even all of them, may diagnose us correctly as suffering from anxiety and consequent panic attacks. But we won’t believe them – we’d rather search for the ‘real’ cause of our symptoms.

Yes, we have a hard time accepting that we need help on the emotional side, rather than for a physical illness.

Eventually we reach that point - if we are lucky, open-minded and intelligent, or if we are close to someone who cares enough to gently help us see the truth.

When that time comes we are faced with dealing with our panic attacks and deciding on treatment options. What anxiety treatments are available to us? How do we compare panic treatments? How do we choose the best treatment for our anxiety symptoms and panic attacks?

Here is a short overview of panic attack treatments and options:

Anxiety therapy falls in three main categories:

1. Treating Anxiety with Self-Help
2. Treating Anxiety with Behavior Modification
3. Treating Anxiety with Medication

The good news: all three approaches work. Some anxiety treatments may be more suitable for one person than for another.

Take medication as an example. You in particular may:

• Not want to use anxiety medications.
• Not want to use medication for the rest of your life, particularly if you are young.
• Worry about combining different medications, as they might interact. This is a particular concern if you are using chronic medication for conditions such as diabetes
Yet
• Yet many of us will undoubtedly need to be on medication, at least initially.
• Most of us will be able to stop our medication after a period of around 18 months – if we’ve mastered the self-help techniques of handling an anxiety attack.
• A few of us will need medication permanently.
Whatever your situation remember:
there is no shame in using medication for anxiety, like there is no shame in using heart medication. If we need it we use it.

The general consensus is that treatment should be two-pronged: while medication is useful and even necessary behavior modification is absolutely essential. No-one should be on medication only!

There are two approaches to behavior modification: self-help and guided help by a therapist of psychologist.

Quick overview of the two non-medicated approaches to treating anxiety and panic attacks

Self-help guides
Anxiety therapy is not rocket science. Most of us can help ourselves, with some guidance like a self-help guide. A good self-help guide is an excellent solution for the intelligent, perceptive panic attack sufferer. If you can face your problem head-on and bravely a self-help guide is the perfect tool to change behavior.

Advantages of Getting Your Own Self-Help Panic Attack Guide

• Privacy: Many of us are deeply (although mistakenly) ashamed of our ‘weakness’. A self-help guide teaches us in privacy the techniques we need to master to overcome our anxiety. We don’t have to face a strange therapist, go into stressful situations such as therapy and expose our innermost selves to an outsider.
• Help wherever we are: Not all of us live in big cities where therapists specializing in anxiety are available. And if we live in medium-sized communities with available therapists, they may not be well-trained to treat anxiety - or we may not wish to be treated by an acquaintance or colleague.
• Progress at our own pace: We don’t have to improve in weekly increments, at each appointment. A self-help guide lets us absorb and master information and techniques as fast as we are able to, without anxiety-causing pressure.
• Available whenever we need it: We don’t have to wait until we can get an appointment. We can consult our self-help guides over weekends, at night, on public holidays, over the holiday season, where we holiday … whenever we feel an increase in anxiety.
• Available where we need it: We can keep our guide at work, in the car, next to our bed, or take it along on visits and holidays. We can have the support we need with us, right when we need it.
• Available without end : We can refer back to our self-help guide a year from now, or ten years from now. Our guide does not stop. We do not need to schedule more new appointments. It does not have to be prescribed again. Once we have it is always within reach.

However, not all self-help guides are equal. You need a good one. We recommend:

Panic Away, the system developed by Joe Barry, who suffered from Panic Attacks himself for years, before developing the techniques that have helped over 27 000 people.
Check it out!

Guided help

Many therapists are knowledgeable in helping patients overcome anxiety. Some are highly trained, and will make a huge difference. Most will recommend that you read some books on anxiety attacks and/or provide you with a self-help guide on overcoming anxiety, as an adjunct to therapy for anxiety attacks.

Advantages

• An experienced, trained person guides you through it. The therapist is trained to pinpoint your particular problem and should be able to see when and why you are stalling.
• A therapist specifically trained in interoceptive desensitization may cure you by desensitisation. This requires specialist training, and works best for people who can pinpoint their anxiety and panic attacks to a certain incident.

Disadvantages

• Expensive
• Weekly appointments. You may be ready for more, or not want to work as fast, or need him when he is not available (think weekends, nights, holidays). You may also feel pressurized to ‘improve’ every week.
• Lack of rapport between you, especially if you are obliged to use an in-house therapist or hospital-appointed therapist or a therapist on contract with your organisation, who may be obliged to file a report to your superiors on your mental capabilities.
• Time aspect. You need to be available during normal office hours, and on a regular basis. This may just not be possible in your work or professional situation - particularly if you do not want to explain to your colleagues that you are a panic attack sufferer.
• Therapy stops eventually. After six to twelve weeks therapy usually comes to an end. This leaves you with nothing concrete to fall back on when the therapist is not available.

Medication

Pharmaceuticals
There are many medications suitable for anxiety treatment. New ones and new generics enter the market regularly. It is best to follow your physician’s recommendations.

However, here are the main ones:

• Benzodiazepines such as diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam and clonazepam
• SSRIs such as paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, escitalopram and fluoxetine
• SNRIs such as venlafaxine
• NaSSAs such as Mitrzapine

Advantages

• Most work fast and are effective
• They are all thoroughly tested and well-tolerated by most people

Disadvantages

• Expense
• Dependency – not in the sense of addiction but in the sense that instead of mastering the self-help techniques involved in overcoming anxiety we keep on falling back on medication. However, some of us have no other option and should take medication. Ideally we should combine medication with behaviour therapy. The medication buys us the time we need to master the techniques to conquer anxiety

We recommend that you check out the following self-help guide that has helped thousands of people - why not you?



]]> http://www.panicsymptoms.org/review-of-anxiety-treatments/feed/ http://www.panicsymptoms.org/faq-about-an-panic-attacks/ http://www.panicsymptoms.org/faq-about-an-panic-attacks/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:15:52 +0000 admin http://www.panicsymptoms.org/?p=32 ‘Know thyself’ is an ancient and very wise piece advice. When it comes to anxiety attacks it is so true that it could have been intended absolutely and only for us who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. For the more we know about our condition the more able we eventually become in handling and overcoming anxiety.

Here are the main questions we share:

What is natural anxiety?
The body has to respond to dangerous situations, and very quickly too. Therefore it has a built-in fight or flight response which, simply put, is a series of events in the body that enable us to energetically respond and overcome very strenuous and physically dangerous situations.

Here’s the thing: natural anxiety is actually the beautiful, perfectly natural response of our bodies to danger! We who have anxiety disorders should not be ashamed of ourselves. Our bodies are functioning very well, thank you. Had we lived in a thousand years or even a hundred years ago, we would have been the ones to survive!

What happens during an anxiety panic attack?
Our fight or flight response triggers the release of various neurotransmittors, like adrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate and more. They trigger responses such as:

• making us breathe deeper so more oxygen gets absorbed into our blood;
• getting our hearts to start pumping blood at a higher rate so more blood and oxygen reaches our muscles so we can better fight the enemy, or outrun it.
• directing blood sugar to our muscles, so we have the physical energy for fighting or fleeing.

If I suffer from panic attack will my children inherit panic attacks from me?
Not necessarily, but yes, our children are more likely to suffer from panic attacks than non-panickers’ kids. There seems to be a genetic basis. In almost half of the cases of identical twins with panic both are affected. But behavioral learning may also play a role. In other words our kids are likely to follow in our panic steps.

This makes it even more important that we learn to handle our panic attacks. We recommend that you check out the following self-help guide: Panic Away, by Joe Barry. He has suffered from Panic and Anxiety himself for years, until he managed to hit on one technique that is an almost fail-safe guarantee to rid you of your panic and anxiety.

Does stress trigger panic and anxiety attacks?
Yes, stress seems to play a huge role. There is a strong association between anxiety symptoms and recent loss or separation.



]]> http://www.panicsymptoms.org/faq-about-an-panic-attacks/feed/ http://www.panicsymptoms.org/seven-things-you-never-knew-about-panic-anxiety-attacks/ http://www.panicsymptoms.org/seven-things-you-never-knew-about-panic-anxiety-attacks/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:06:46 +0000 admin http://www.panicsymptoms.org/?p=30 …and three more you just knew
1. Yawning can be an anxiety symptom
Excessive yawning is a sign that the central nervous system is hyper-activated Therefore it can be an indication of general anxiety, uneasiness and stress. It is one of the early warning signs we can use, so we can prepare.

2. Coke may make us more susceptible to an anxiety attack
Yes, true. Cola drinks contain caffeine, which numerous studies have shown to trigger panic attacks in people with anxiety disorders. However, caffeine-free colas are safe for us.

Obviously coke is not our only source of caffeine. Coffee is the main culprit but caffeine hides in many products, such as cold medications, slimming products, medications to stay awake (often taken by students to study through the night and by people driving long distance). Caffeine is also the active ingredient in energizing herbs like yerbe mate and in guarana. Many ‘energy’ sweets and drinks depends on caffeine to give you that energy spike. Check the labels!

3. Cutting out coffee can actually trigger an anxiety attack
Yes, true. Caffeine withdrawal symptoms cause headaches, jitteriness and headaches … symptoms we correctly associate with previous anxiety attacks. Expecting or fearing a panic attack often triggers it.
For us the best way to cut out coffee is to wean ourselves from it slowly. This way we sidestep the withdrawal symptoms.

The same goes for other sources of caffeine, like colas, guarana or yerbe mate.

4. Weight loss diets cause panic attacks
There is some truth in this, too – but only if we use a diet supplement or slimming product loaded with caffeine.

5. One is more likely to get an anxiety attack in the winter
It is not about the season but about colds medications. If you use cold medicine with caffeine you may be triggering the panic attack via your medication.

If you notice a seasonal tendency it is likely that some behaviour or situation (e.g. drinking more alcohol over the holidays) or stressful situation (e.g. visiting where you feel uncomfortable) or time pressure (e.g. deadlines, too much to do and cut-off times) is to blame. Try and see if you can identify a pattern.

6. Journaling / blogging may increase anxiety.
Although these activities often release anxiety much depends on how your approach.

It is a generally held truth that if you can’t find a solution to a problem within fifteen minutes of thinking about it, your chance of finding a solution plummets to zero by 40 minutes. If your journal or blog means that you will be working through your problem towards some outcome it will release your anxiety. But if it feeds your internal dialogue into a pattern of repetitive, unstoppable, racing thoughts it may increase your anxiety.

Much depends on what permissions we give ourselves. If we tell ourselves ‘OK, we may fail, we may be more anxious than other people’ it may help us get some of our anxiety out of our systems. But if we experience our failing acutely and beat ourselves up about it while we write we are only increasing our stress levels.

7. Bag breathing isn’t the answer
It certainly does help and it is a good first-aid approach. It also helps to simply breath very slowly in by using the tummy muscles and then to breathe out very slowly, through the nose. Both techniques re-balance the oxygen-carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which prevents the anxiety chain reaction in the body.

However, if you need this type of therapy regularly it is far better to get proper help such as a self-help guide, therapy or medication.

And three more findings, as confirmed by the latest research

8. Many alcoholics are actually self-medicating their anxiety panic attacks
Yes, true. Alcohol is often used by panickers to cope with fear. Soldiers not knowing when an attack is due are especially vulnerable, as well as people with social anxiety and those of us facing an ordeal or challenge like a presentation at work, competitive sport or social event. In fact, a recent study shows that one in five of alcoholics are actually panickers who originally were self-medicating and then fell prey to addiction.

We’ve all used alcohol to help us … we’ve always known about this one!

Alcohol is a very poor substitute for proper medication for panic attacks, as it is addictive and actually adds to our woes. What we really need is proper anxiety treatment.

9. A panic attack can last days on end
We are always told that a panic attack never last more than ten minutes, and often less than five minutes, or even as short as one single minute. We are told this by doctors and therapists who’ve never been through it.

We know different - many of us have been through endless hours of anxiety and peak panic attacks. And science is finally describing what we experience, namely that many of us suffer serial panic attacks for hours on end. This is truly very frightening and totally exhausting.
We told them …!

10. The more polite you are the more prone you are to anxiety disorder
More evidence is being found by researchers that we who communicate in a polite and respectful way are far more likely to become anxious and develop intense anxiety and panic attacks. It is not clear why this unassertive way of communication leads to a physical expression such as a panic attack.
Once again, we’ve always noticed that it is the nice guys and good girls who share our experience.

In conclusion

What scientists and we ourselves all know is that we overcome anxiety only when we are armed with more knowledge about it.

A reliable self-help guide is one of the best ways to inform yourself well.

Do look at Panic Away, by Joe Barry. This guide has helped over 27 000 people get rid of their anxiety and panic attacks.



]]> http://www.panicsymptoms.org/seven-things-you-never-knew-about-panic-anxiety-attacks/feed/ http://www.panicsymptoms.org/5-quickest-emergency-room-anxiety-cures/ http://www.panicsymptoms.org/5-quickest-emergency-room-anxiety-cures/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:00:19 +0000 admin http://www.panicsymptoms.org/?p=27 In the middle of an anxiety attack? Or feeling one coming on? You can feel well within five minutes! Here’s what to do:

1. Get your self-help guide out and check the advice right now
This will help you remember what you’ve been taught - the best instant refresher course imaginable.

Having your own self-help book at hand is a major advantage when you feel a panic attack coming on. It is the quintessential guidance at the very moment you need it most.

Keep you self-help guide where it is easily accessible for you. Or get more than one copy (or print more than one copy) so you have one available in the places where you are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety – like in your car, at the office, etc.

2. Cup your hand to your mouth
This forces you to breathe slowly, which rebalances your oxygen-carbon dioxide blood levels.
It is similar to breathing into a bag – you may not have a bag handy, or may not want to look so conspicuous. Cupping your hand to your mouth is also a natural reaction when we are frightened, which is probably our bodies’ natural panic prevention mechanism.

3. Go with the flow
This is hard for us but it works. Recognize your symptoms as panic. Each one of your anxiety symptoms is part of you wonderful body’s natural, perfect responses to danger to enable us to handle a physically dangerous situation. Our fight or flight response triggers the release of various neurotransmittors, like adrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate and more. They trigger responses to:

• make us breathe deeper so more oxygen gets absorbed into our blood;getting our hearts to start
• pump blood at a higher rate so more blood and oxygen reaches our muscles so we can better fight the enemy, or outrun it.
• direct blood sugar to our muscles, so we have the necessary energy for fighting or fleeing.

Each of our symptoms are OK! It is OK to go through panic.

4. Do something physically
Your body is enabling you for a strenuous physical challenge - calm it by giving it an outlet!
Rub your hands vigorously; jog in one place; go for a quick walk or slow jog; stretch; touch your toes; swing your arms; run up and down some stairs; dance vigorously … do anything that requires some release of that pent-up fight-or-flight reaction.

Once you are a bit more relaxed try alternatively tensing and relaxing your muscles.

It is best to do this as early on in the panic attack, preferably whenever you notice a rise in your anxiety level.

• 5. Eat half a slice whole grain bread or a small cube of cheese
  Your blood sugar levels may need to be adjusted. A small, healthy snack will take care of that.
  BUT
  Do not drink coffee or tea with it, as this adds caffeine to your bloodstream, which will increase your anxiety.
  Also:
  no wine, no beer, no root beer or anything with even a trace of alcohol.
• no coca cola (unless it is caffeine-free and sugar-free)
• neither any ‘energy’ drinks or bars as they usually contain coffee and/or sugar
• no sweets at this stage, as a spike in your blood sugar now will lead to a sharp drop within half an hour, making you more susceptible to a panic attack then.

If you don’t own your own self-help guide yet GET one.

We recommend: Panic Away, written by Joe Barry. Joe has helped over 27 000 to date to get rid of their anxiety and panic - why not you?




]]> http://www.panicsymptoms.org/5-quickest-emergency-room-anxiety-cures/feed/ http://www.panicsymptoms.org/panic-attack-causes/ http://www.panicsymptoms.org/panic-attack-causes/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:21:16 +0000 admin http://www.panicsymptoms.org/?p=25 …Some you suspected (and the one’s you got caught by)

Each one of us is unique. The trigger of my panic attack may be totally different to yours. Here are the common causes of panic attack:

• Genetics: Panic disorder runs in families, indicating that genes may be involved.
• Upbringing: The example our parents set in handling anxiety may strongly predispose us to anxiety and panic attacks.
• Anxious parenting: Parents with an anxious outlook may make us feel as if the world is dangerous, predisposing us to anxiety attacks.
• Poor blood sugar control: The body cannot function properly, and will signal danger if our blood sugar levels go hay-wire.
• Diet: A diet high sugar may trigger panic attacks.
• Alcohol: Definitely a trigger in people with panic attack.
• Caffeine: Ditto.
• Overactive thyroid: This may increase our anxiety levels.
• Balance problems: It is not really clear if panic leads to the feeling of loss of balance, or if a loss of balance leads to anxiety, but they are certainly associated.
• Vitamin B deficiency: We need sufficient vitamin B for our central nervous system to function optimally.
• Allergy: Although not proven it may be worth investigating if you are more prone to anxiety attacks when exposed to food allergies or to contact allergens such as cats, dogs and pollen.
• Life Transitions: Psychological and physical transitions like becoming a teenager, entering a new school or college or university, entering marriage, pregnancy, motherhood, widowhood, retirement, developing a chronic illness, first menstruation, menopause, erectile dysfunction, etc. are all legitimate causes of panic attacks.
• Loss: All kinds of loss may trigger anxiety because of the loss of our basic security - loss of a loved one, loss of a lover, divorce, job loss, loss of income, loss of our home, loss of a circle of friends when we move to a new home, town or school, etc.
• Terrifying experiences : A situation that very authentically threatens our personal safety and security is often the initial trigger for panic attacks which are later on triggered by very insignificant or light threats. Having been in a bomb explosion may make us terribly afraid of any loud noise such as a door that is blown shut by the wind. War experiences are notorious initial triggers but a burglary, being held by gunpoint, a hi-jack, car theft or physical violence are all valid as initial triggers.
• Drugs: Nicotine and marijuana are definite triggers of panic attacks, and should be avoided if by everyone with a tendency to anxiety.
• Inner dialogue: Anxious and negative self-talk through which we convince ourselves that we are in danger greatly contributes to anxiety and panic attacks. It is not as simple as merely telling ourselves to stop. This takes insight into our subconsciously held beliefs, fears, pressures and suppressed feelings.
• Unassertiveness: Almost all of us who struggle with anxiety and panic tend to be more polite and respectful. As a group we tend to be unassertive. It is unclear how this translates into anxiety attacks but being more open to outside pressure and not feeling in control contributes greatly.
• Medications: Many medications list increased anxiety as one of the side-effects. If you suddenly develop anxiety shortly after starting a new medication discuss it with your doctor. These symptoms may go away within a few days. If they don’t you may need to change medication.
• Your breathing style: Breathing from your chest may cause overbreathing as you are exhaling too little carbon dioxide in relation to the amount of oxygen you are inhaling.



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