Anxiety sufferers utilize up to a third of every dollar spent on heath care in the United States, with doctor visits money value of nearly $22 billion a year. Anxiety disorder or commonely known as panic attack doesn’t just dissappear overnight. it happens to a person when that someone had a very stressful and frighful event that has scarred that person for life. So anything which might related to the frightful event will triggered the only memory cells which will sparks the anxiety. Panic attack are just as disabling as any physical ailment, but failing to see a specialist might lead to depression and suicide attempts.

Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by cognitive, somatic, emotional, and behavioral components. These components combine to create an unpleasant feeling that is typically associated with uneasiness, fear, or worry. The body then reacts to these thoughts by creating physical tension and significant discomfort.

When the body is faced with immediate danger, the brain orders the autonomic nervous system to activate the ‘flight-or-fight’ response. The body is flooded with a range of chemicals, including adrenaline, that trigger physiological changes. For example, heart rate and breathing are accelerated and blood is shifted to the muscles to prepare for physical combat or running away.

A panic attack is said to occur when the ‘flight-or-fight’ response is triggered but there is no imminent danger. A person may experience the symptoms of a panic attack in harmless and apparently stress-free situations, such as watching television or while asleep.

Some of the factors that can prime the body to inappropriately activate the ‘flight-or-fight’ response include:

• Chronic (ongoing) stress – this causes the body to produce higher than usual levels of stress chemicals such as adrenaline.
• Acute stress (such as experiencing a traumatic event) – can suddenly flood the body with large amounts of stress chemicals.
• Habitual hyperventilation – disturbs the balance of blood gases because there is not enough carbon dioxide in the blood.
• Intense physical exercise – for some people, this may cause extreme reactions.
• Excessive caffeine intake – the caffeine in coffee, tea and other beverages is a strong stimulant.
• Illness – may cause physical changes.
• A sudden change of environment – such as walking into an overcrowded, hot or stuffy environment.

Long term and short term drugs side effect

Doctors normally will prescribe a fix which is called Valium or Benzodiazepines. These drugs are used to combat anxiety and to induced calmess to the users. These drugs if taken will also caused drowsiness, slurred speech and also dizziness.

Using these drugs in a prolong time will caused the users to potentially noxious side effects such as cognitive impairment, dependance, habituation or neurological disorders. Other long term side effects include hepatitis, dermatitis, low white blood cell count, amnesia, paradoxical excitation, changes in vision, hearing alterations, breathing problems, hypertension, low blood pressure, fast or slow heart beat, palpitations and headaches.

How does Benzodiazepines work?

Benzodiazepines such as Valium operate widely in the brain, affecting emotional reactions, memory, thinking, control of consciousness, muscle tone and coordination and act by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid which is known as GABA in your brain.

The benzodiazepines enhance the action of the neurotransmitter, GABA(Gamma Amino Butyric Acid). Neurotransmitters are chemicals which enable the brain cells to transmit impulses from one to another. They are released from brain cells by electrical signals. Once released, the neurotransmitters signal inhibition or excitation of neighboring brain cells.

GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter. The function of GABA is to slow or calm things down. Benzodiazepines increase the efficiency of GABA, thus causing greater inhibition or calming.

Exercise & Yoga

If you’re already exercising, good for you! If not, then start exercising daily which will help to reduce the stress hormones in the body, that can trigger sudden panic attacks.

Yoga, which is an ancient form of exercise is an excellent way to relieve anxiety/panic and muscle tension. Yoga will help the person to slown down and focus on the moment instead of stressing about all the things to be done.

Below are some example of exercise which can be completed if you’re a very busy person

• 30 minute walk with friends
• 10 minutes of resistance machines
• 20 minutes of swim followed by stretches
• household and gardening chores (yes it’s a form of exercise)
• 30 minutes bike ride
• 30 minute walks on indoor treadmill

STOP drinking caffeinated beverages!

This is my story.
I had a near death experience (or so I thought) with drug OD. My triggered was that I’m so sure I’m going to die and want to get to hospital as soon as possible. As I live in the city, getting to hospital is considered a problem with major traffic jam here and there. This is what created a scar mentally and fixed a trigger system in my body and mind. But that’s the past. I now have panic attack and it comes and goes.

I have look around internet with little help on curing my panic attack but plenty of info about the facts. One fact that most of the websites didn’t show is that no one has ever died from Panic Attack! That’s the word from my professional GP and physiatrist.

My experience:
I can’t be in a crowded place. I can’t be stuck in traffic jam for a long period of time. I can’t explore new place without getting worried.

Of all this years, I have found thing which can help me minimized the impact or help me calm down. I do a lot of driving due to my work. So I would always have a bottle of anti-anxiety spray (natural herb) in my car. I never like the idea of having another dose of drug in my system to help me combat anxiety and make me drowsy and like a dumb walking stick without any feeling! If I’m going travelling, I will always have them in my pocket. Another trigger is when I’m hungry and all of sudden lack of energy. For this, I’m always prepared with a choc bar or anything which can help you boosts some energy, but stay away from Red Bull. If you have no choice and have to take public transport (crowded), have some soothing music handy or your fav band/album in your iPod. Listen to them along the journey and if possible try to sing along (quietly – not in front of all those people!). This is to keep your mind occupied. Have a mint or something as well to help relax.

If all this fails, then this is what I do. I will start calling my close friends and tell them of the situation, you will need to tell them that so that they understand. I would normally ask my friend to talk about something, ask question, so that you can have your mind occupied. It works for me.

Timing is an essence itself, for my case. If crowded place triggers panic attack…and that you need to do some shopping, then go at time when it’s not peak time, e.g. lunch time or after 6pm. If it happens when you’re in a long queue at checkout, for me I would just drop the item to front desk and tell them I’m having panic attack and will have to pick up the item later. Then go to somewhere quiet and relax yourself.

All the above are just temporary solution when it happens. To summarize it, you will need to change your lifestyle.

Natural Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies

Below are some of the natural herbs and homeopathic which can help you minimize anxiety and stress and improve overall mood as well as preventing symptoms of panic attacks. You may use it solely on its own or in combination with therapy.

Lemon Balm, Lavender and Passiflora – some natural remedies with positive results for relieving panic attacks and anxiety.

St John’s Wort - regular use of St John’s Wort will increase a sense of well-being and reducing and eliminating the occurrence of panic attacks. Please seek advice from your GP first.

Scientist has also found out that there has been a strong correlation between anxiety/panic disorder and the levels of certain vitamins and minerals. These are some of the supplement which can help you rejuvenate the balance in your body:

Bad Breathing Causes Anxiety and Panic Attacks
When you’re scared or spook, Rapid shallow breathing will normally occur and will cause hyperventilation and this happens when more carbon dioxide is breathed out than the body is able to manufacture. The symptoms may include dizziness, tingling, chest tightness feeling with rapid heartbeat, feelings of unreality and also inability to think clearly. Does that sound familiar? When this happen, always remember to inhale through your nose and exhale through your nose or mouth.
Practice abdominal breathing when you are feeling quite calm and relaxed so you know you are doing it correctly.

Try to Slow down your breaths to 6 to 10 breaths a minute using a watch.
Notice when you are shallow breathing or when you hold your breath and immediately take a couple of deep abdominal breaths.
When you start to feel anxious just remember to push your stomach out as you take a breath.

The nervous system is also bolstered by the action of the B vitamins, during times of stress in particular- the body makes rapid use of these substances. The increase in the lactate content of the body is also stabilized at certain times by the use of the B vitamins taken in supplemental form. Among all the vitamins, the B6 is considered to be the most important vitamin. The susceptibility of a person to anxiety and panic attacks can also be reduced by taking supplements of the essential minerals calcium or magnesium, the deficiency of one or both of these in the body will increase the likelihood of a panic attack affecting an individual. Proper nerve function and relaxation in the body is promoted by the essential minerals calcium and magnesium when they are taken on a regular basis. A deficiency of the essential mineral magnesium is caused by a poor diet and the abuse of alcohol-this produces nervousness and irritability in the person.
An irritated nervous system has traditionally been treated using the herbs such as passion flower, the valerian, the St. John’s wort or the lemon balm as herbal remedies. These help relax and soothe the nervous system in the affected individual. Usage of these herbs by the sufferers will also aid in giving that person a good night’s rest and will relax him or her in general

Panic attack have many different signs and symptoms which depend on individual basis. Below are the common panic attack symptoms:

• Heightened vigilance for danger and physical symptoms
• Anxious and irrational thinking
• A strong feeling of dread, danger or foreboding
• Fear of going mad, losing control or dying
• Feeling lightheaded and dizzy
• Tingling and chills, particularly in the arms and hands
• Trembling or shaking, sweating
• Hot flushes
• Accelerated heart rate
• A feeling of constriction in the chest
• Breathing difficulties, including shortness of breath
• Nausea or abdominal distress
• Tense muscles
• Dry mouth
• Feelings of unreality and detachment from the environment.

Remember, panic attack symptoms are different from a person to the other. Symptoms of panic attacks could also indicate something more serious.