High blood pressure is a condition that cuts across all the age groups. It is important not to neglect this condition and one should get help as soon as he or she is diagnosed. It is a symptom of stress and anxiety and should be diagnosed properly since the blood pressure in a normal person can fluctuate during the day due to the effect of stress, anxiety, alcohol intake and the likes.

To confirm a case of high blood pressure, persistent elevated readings should be recorded at different times during the day, on different days and in different circumstances. It is a well-established fact that acute stress and anxiety can lead to a momentary increase in blood pressure due to changes in the flow pattern of blood from the heart.

Chronic anxiety can lead to prolonged hypertension. Anxiety disorder has been linked with increased risk for hypertension and cardiovascular mortality. Close to seventy percent of all the high blood pressure problems are linked to emotional stress or anxiety during difficult situations. Conversely, higher levels of anxiety have been found in hypertensive subjects. When this phenomenon becomes recurrent, it can lead to long-term permanent damage like heart attacks, kidney failure or liver failure.

Also, when one is anxious it is easy to resort to other unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking, which can further aggravate the problem. Hence it is critical that the treatment being administered for controlling high blood pressure should also provide anxiety relief.

Here are some tips which can help you manage your condition of high blood pressure and at the same time will help in providing relief from anxiety. One should eat regular meals and avoid stimulants like coffee. Preference should be given to foods that are natural like fruits, whole grains etc. It is also important to exercise regularly. It will help relieve tension and also boost the cardiovascular system.

However, it is prudent to consult your doctor before embarking on an exercise regimen. It is equally important to get adequate rest since it will relax the muscles and help in relieving the buildup of stress and anxiety. If nothing works, it is advisable to consult your doctor for medication to address your blood pressure as well as providing relief from anxiety.

Since these medications have their side effects, it is wise to evaluate the natural treatments for anxiety relief in consultation with your doctor. This can help you provide complete relief from anxiety, thereby eliminating the root cause of your high blood pressure.

http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/nativeremedies/index.htm

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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Click Here to View Breathing Relaxation Exercise

This video gives you a good idea of what a good breathing exercise video or music CD should be able to do for you.

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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Because of a feeling of being vulnerable, people who experience this fear often suffer from panic attacks in these “open” situations. It is true to say many people who have regular panic attacks experience different degrees of agoraphobia. Some have a lingering background anxiety about being away from home should they experience a panic attack. Other people are so immobilized by this fear that they find it very difficult to leave their home for even a short period.

The thinking behind agoraphobia usually follows the line that were a panic attack to occur, who would look after the person, how would he or she get the assistance and reassurance they needed? The vulnerability grows from the feeling that once victims of agoraphobia are caught in the anxiety, they are suddenly unable to look after themselves and are therefore at the mercy of the place they find themselves in and the strangers around them. In its extreme form, agoraphobia and panic attacks can lead to a situation where people become housebound for numerous years. Please note, this is by no means a hopeless situation, and I always need to reinforce the fact that something only becomes hopeless once the person really believes that to be the case.

To begin with, the primary issue that needs to be addressed is the belief in the safe zone. To clarify, when I talk about safe zone, I am referring to the zone where the person believes panic attacks do not occur, or at least occur infrequently. As comfort is found there, it is where the person tends to spend more and more time. The safe zone of anxiety is a myth sustained by the mind. The mind has developed a habit of thinking that dictates that being inside the safe zone is the only place to feel secure and avoid agoraphobia and panic attacks. If agoraphobia is an issue for you, watch as your mind comes up with reasons why it believes only a certain area is safe and another is not. Those reasons range from being near the phone or people you trust to having familiar physical surroundings to reassure you.

The reality of anxiety is that there is no such thing as a safe zone. There is nothing life threatening about a panic attack, and therefore sitting at home is the same as sitting under the stars on a desert island. Of course, your mind will immediately rush to tell you that a desert island is a ridiculous place to be as there are no hospitals, no tranquillisers, no doctors, NO SAFETY.

You need to review your previous experiences of panic attacks. Aren’t you still here, alive and well, after all those attacks during which you were convinced you were going to die?

It may be that on occasions you have been driven to the hospital where they did medicate you to calm you down, but do you really believe that you would not have survived were it not for the drugs? You would have. If the same bout of anxiety had occurred on this desert island, it too would have passed, even if you were all alone. Yes, when it comes to conditions that need medical attention such as asthma, diabetes, and a whole litany or other conditions, then having medical aid nearby is a big asset, but no doctor in the world would tell someone with anxiety that there are only specific safe zones in which she or he can move.

As I know more than anyone how terrifying it can feel to move out of your safe zone as the feeling of fear is welling up inside, I do not wish to sound harsh. This course is not about chastising people for their behaviours. It is a way of looking together at solutions and seeing through the myths that form prison walls. The goal is to enable you to return to a richer and more meaningful life and ultimately defeat your agoraphobia and panic attacks. I also realize that people around you cannot understand why a trip to shops would cause you such discomfort. You will have to forgive them and try not to be upset by their lack of understanding of your problem.

If an individual such as a partner or family member has not had a similar anxiety issue, that person may often find it hard to understand and empathize with what you are going through. I am sure you have been dragged out of the house numerous times against your will, kicking and screaming. This can then lead to tensions and arguments and is upsetting as it can make you feel less understood by those around you. People around agoraphobics are often simply trying what they feel is best. If you can see that their intentions are well meaning (although often misguided), then you will be able to relate to them better and help sooth any potential conflicts.

There is one thing I am sure you will agree with, and that is that the only person who will get you out of agoraphobic thinking is yourself. These are your thoughts, and only you can begin to change that pattern. Dealing with long term agoraphobia and panic attacks is a slow process to begin with, but once the results start happening, it moves faster and faster until you reach a point where you will find it hard to believe that going out was such a difficult task.

Learn more

http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/PanicAway/index.htm

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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1. Mild chronic depression - A persistent feeling of continuous sorrow that lasts for at least two years. This depression is also called dysthymia.
2. Major depression - A condition of intense sadness, which may or may not be recurring
3. Bipolar Disorders: A cyclic and episodic condition of depression and severe or mild mania (hypomania).
4. Post-natal depression – A condition caused due to exhaustion from delivery. A depression is termed as a post-natal depression only if it occurs within 2 years of  delivery.Similarly,  there are also different kinds of anxiety disorders that exist.

1. Panic disorders - A fear of impending and unreal doom.
2. Obsessive compulsive disorder – A condition of wherein the patient gets perpetually upsetting thoughts.
3. Post traumatic stress – Anxiety that is caused due to extreme physical trauma or threat of physical harm.
4. Social phobia – A chronic fear of being watched and judged by others.
5. Specific phobias - Extreme fear of something of harmless objects or people.
6. Generalized anxiety - A general state of hyperactivity and extreme worry.Treating depression and anxiety in the same person can be a challenging task. Co-morbidity of these disorders actually needs treatment for three different types of symptoms - anxiety, depression and mania. There is fine line that separates all three conditions. Treating such a patient involves assessing the extent of each condition so as to provide accurate prescriptions. Antidepressants and mood elevators can be used to treat the depression phase of the bipolar disorder and anxiety. But when the manic phase of the bipolar disorder surfaces, the patient needs to be administered mood stabilizers. Providing the correct dosage for each of these medicines becomes extremely tricky and leaves no scope for mistakes. A minute oversight or misunderstood symptom can be catastrophic and result in aggravation of the existing condition.

Alternative therapies and natural remedies for depression can play a significant role in treating bipolar and anxiety co-morbidity. This is because they have little or no side effects. They are also are easy to handle and do not require micro level management of the case.Treating depression naturally with the aid of nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal extracts, exercise, yogic postures, psychiatric counseling, acupuncture and acupressure may prove to be a better option in cases of unpredictable rapid switching of alternating symptoms.

http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/nativeremedies/index.htm

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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These speaking engagements do not necessarily have to be the traditional “on a podium” events but can be as simple as an office meeting where the individual is expected to express an opinion or give verbal feedback. The fear of public speaking and panic attacks in this case centers on having an attack while speaking. The individual fears being incapacitated by the anxiety and hence unable to complete what he or she is saying. The person imagines fleeing the spotlight and having to make all kinds of excuses later for their undignified departure out the office window….

This differs slightly from the majority of people who fear public speaking because their fear tends to revolve around going blank while speaking or feeling uncomfortable under the spotlight of their peers. The jitters or nerves of speaking in public are of course a problem for this group as well, but they are unfamiliar with that debilitating threat which is the panic attack, as they most likely have not experienced one before.

So how should a person with an anxiety issue tackle public speaking?

Stage one is accepting that all these bizarre and quite frankly unnerving sensations are not going to go away overnight. In fact, you are not even going to concern yourself with getting rid of them for your next talk. When they arrive during a speech/meeting, you are going to approach them in a new manner. What we need to do is build your confidence back to where it used to be before any of these sensations ever occurred. This time you will approach it in a unique, empowering manner, allowing you to feel your confidence again. It is said that most of the top speakers are riddled with anxiety before speaking, but they somehow use this nervousness to enhance their speech. I am going to show you exactly how to do this, although I know that right now if you suffer from public speaking and panic attacks you may find it difficult to believe you can ever overcome it.

My first point is this and it is important. The average healthy person can experience an extreme array of anxiety and very uncomfortable sensations while giving a speech and is in no danger of ever losing control, or even appearing slightly anxious to the audience. No matter how tough it gets, you will always finish your piece, even if at the outset it feels very uncomfortable to go on. You will not become incapacitated in any way.

The real breakthrough for if you suffer from public speaking and panic attacks happens when you fully believe that you are not in danger and that the sensations will pass.

“I realize you (the anxiety) hold no threat over me.”

What keeps a panic attack coming again and again is the fear of the fear—the fear that the next one will really knock your socks off and you feel you were lucky to have made it past the last one unscathed. As they were so unnerving and scary, it is your confidence that has been damaged by previous anxiety episodes. Once you fully understand you are not under any threat, then you can have a new response to the anxiety as it arises while speaking.

Defeating public speaking and panic attacks…

There is always a turning point when a person moves from general anxiety into a panic attack, and that happens with public speaking when you think to yourself:

“I won’t be able to handle this in front of these people.”

That split second of self-doubt leads to a rush of adrenaline, and the extreme anxiety arrives in a wave like format. If, however, when you feel the initial anxiety and you react with confidence that this is not a threat to you, you will move out of the anxiety rapidly. Using this new approach is a powerful ally because it means it is okay to feel scared and feel the anxiety when speaking–that is fine; you are going to feel it and move with and through the sensations in your body and out the other side. Because he or she is feeling very anxious, often before the talk has begun, that person may feel they have already let themselves down. Now, you can relax on that point. It is perfectly natural to feel the anxiety. Take for example the worst of the sensations you have ever experienced in this situation—be it general unease to loss of breath. You will have an initial automatic reaction that says:

“Danger–I’m going to have an episode of anxiety here and I really can’t afford that to happen.”

At this point most people react to that idea and confirm it must be true because of all of the unusual feelings they are experiencing. This is where your thinking can lead you down a train of thought that creates a cycle of anxiety that produces a negative impact on your overall presenting skills.

So let that initial “oh dear, not now” thought pass by, and follow it up immediately with the attitude of:

“There you are–I’ve been wondering when you would arrive. I’ve been expecting you to show up—by the way, I am not in the least threatened by any of the strange sensations you are creating—I am completely safe here.”

The key to controlling your fear of public speaking and panic attacks is that instead of pushing the emotional energy and excitement down into your stomach, you are moving out through it. Your body is in a slightly excited state, exactly as it should be while giving a speech, so release that energy in your self-expression. Push it out through your presentation not down into your stomach. You push it out by expressing yourself more forcefully. In this way you turn the anxiety to your advantage by using it to deliver a speech where you come across more alive, energetic and in the present moment. When you notice the anxiety drop as it does when you willingly move into it. Fire a quick thought off when you get a momentary break (as I am sure you have between pieces), asking it for “more.” You want more of its intense feelings as you are interested in them and are absolutely not threatened by them.

It seems like a lot of things to be thinking about while talking to a group of people, but it is not really. You’d be amazed how many different non-related thoughts you can have while speaking. This approach is about adopting a new attitude of confidence to what you might have deemed a serious threat up until now. This tactic will truly help you with fear of public speaking and panic attacks you have associated with them.

If your predominant fear of the speaking engagement is driven by a feeling of being trapped, then I would suggest factoring in some mental releases that can be prepared before the event. For example, some meetings/speeches allow for you to turn the attention back to the room to get feedback etc. from the group.

If possible, you might want to prepare such opportunities in your own mind before the engagements. This is not to say you have to ever use them, but people in this situation often remark that just having small opportunities where attention can be diverted for the briefest of moments can make the task seem less daunting. It my even be something as simple as having people introduce themselves or opening the floor to questions. I realize these diversions are not always possible and depend on the situation, but anything you can factor in that makes you feel less trapped or under the spotlight is worth the effort and can help alleviate fear of public speaking and panic attacks.

Learn more

http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/PanicAway/index.htm

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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Agoraphobia. Contrary to public belief, agoraphobia is not the fear of closed spaces. It is actually fear of public places basing from the Greek root word “agora” which means market or marketplace. Agoraphobics fear interaction with people especially in places where they expect to experience episodes of panic or anxiety. Panic attacks and agoraphobia are often closely connected as these disorders exhibit identical symptoms such as shortness of breath, the sensation of dying or going crazy, and the feeling of having a heart attack.

Over-dependence on psychotherapeutic medications specifically anti-anxiety disorder medications. People suffering from panic attacks and not able to help themselves without medication often totally let medications control their symptoms. Once this happens, they will not consider any other idea of a solution to their panic attacks except medication.

While over-dependence on medications to control the symptoms of panic attacks is not the same as addiction to the medications, this behavior still poses serious possible problems.  More often then not, they can become too dependent on the medications and would end up failing to function properly without the necessary dosage of the medications.

Further, although dependence on medications is not an entirely negative solution, in fact for some people it is the most effective, it should be remembered that it is not the only solution. There are less intensive, less invasive, but equally appropriate and effective therapies and methods that are typically overlooked due to too much dependence on panic attack drugs.

Depression. 20% of panic attack patients are likely to commit suicide, a typical outcome of depression, at one time or another, says research. The connection between panic attacks and depression can be viewed from several different standpoints. According to an explanation for example, depression develops from a person’s exhaustion caused by chronic anxiety that typically accompany such attacks.

Another explanation supports the fact that people with panic attacks and serious cases of agoraphobia are prevented from socializing with other people and from doing the things that they previously enjoyed.  This will then lead to a general feeling of isolation and unhappiness. This further leads to the development of episodes of depression. 

Diabetes. It is not uncommon to find people who are suffering from panic attacks also having indications of comorbid disorders, an example of which is diabetes. Research shows that people with diabetes and intermittent episodes of panic attacks are less likely to live quality lives and are also more likely to develop complications. Among people with diabetes, panic attacks as well as depression impede them from efficiently monitoring and controlling their blood glucose level.

Substance abuse. Chronic misuse of alcohol and other unhealthy substances is a coping mechanism against negative conditions such as behavioral disorders. So long as the condition that caused the chronic use of substances exists, in this case panic attacks, the negative resolution will persist.

These are just a few things that might happen if you have more than a few panic attacks and are not treated by a doctor.  A doctor can help you to find the best solution to how to get you  on the road to recovery and once and for all, stop having panic attacks.

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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Panic Attacks are very misunderstood by people that don’t have them.  I can’t even count the number of people that have said that I was just trying to get attention.  This is not even close to the truth.  A panic attack is not the same as a regular medical condition, it is a mental and physical disorder that must be taken very seriously.  If you have not seen your doctor before about your panic attacks, please see one.  They should be able to help you get on the path to recovery.

As classified by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), panic disorders are technically under the umbrella of anxiety disorders. Other anxiety disorders include social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and agoraphobia, among other conditions. Over 20 million people in the United States alone suffer some kind of anxiety disorder or another.

Panic disorder is characterized by reoccurring panic attacks that often happen spontaneously and unexpectedly. A panic attack is an intense feeling of irrational fear that lasts over a period of time. Some symptoms of a panic attack may or may not include a pounding heart, chest pains, sweating, difficulty breathing, the fear of going crazy, shaking, cold or hot flashed, the choking sensation, and nausea. One panic attack doe not mean you should be diagnosed with panic disorder, but if this condition occurs a number of times and interrupts your life, you should see a doctor immediately.

Most people will have a panic attack at least once in their lives.  While this may scare you and be a frightening experience, you shouldn’t be alarmed unless you start worrying about having your next panic attack or it starts interfering with your life. 

When you have a panic attack, even for the first time, see a doctor. Try to clearly think about the symptoms you’ve experienced and note the time and length of the attack. This information will help your doctor find the best treatment options available for you. Often, panic attacks occur simultaneously with other anxiety disorders, so being clear about your experiences will help your doctor to understand your experiences.

Remember, panic attacks are real. While there may be a few cases where people pretend to have attacks to get attention or for other reasons, this is not the norm. If someone around you is experiencing a panic attack, offer your help and call a doctor immediately to get help for the person.

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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The very first panic attack usually comes out of nowhere.  You are usually doing something you do every day, like driving, working or watching TV.

Once you’ve had your first panic attack, the fear of having another one can actually cause it to happen again.  This can then cause a vicious cycle that is hard to recover from.  For most people who are having a panic attack, think they are going crazy, having a heart attack or dying.  When in actuality, they are usually in perfect physical condition.

The first step to controlling panic attacks and getting over them forever is to learn to accept that you have them.  You need to learn to not fear having another one.  Running away and hiding from them will not work.  It will actually end up triggering you having more because you get more and more depressed because you can’t find a safe place. 

Learn to live with them, but, NEVER give in to them. 

Now that we have accepted that we have panic attacks, the next step is to confront them head on.  Panic attacks feed on fear and anxiety.  The more you are afraid of having another attack, the more often you will have one. 

So, the next time you have a panic attack, think, OK, I’m having a panic attack, so, what.  Nothing bad is going to happen to me.  First off, calm yourself down by thinking that all these feelings I’m having are part of the panic attack symptoms.  I’m NOT having a heart attack and I’m not going to die.  Get your breathing under control and then confront it head on.  Try to figure out what caused it.  Am I stressed out, am I juggling too many things at once, did somebody upset me, am I bottling up my emotions.  Once you’ve figure out your trigger that will more than likely cause your panic attack to go away. 

Try to relieve this trigger so that next time, this trigger will be non existent and you can work on the next trigger until hopefully there are no more triggers.  Meaning…no more panic attacks!!!!!!

REMEMBER….Panic attacks can be stopped and you can recover from them without depending on drugs. Understand that panic attacks occur again and again because of your fear of them. Fear acts as fuel for panic attacks and makes it happen. Take away that fear and panic attacks will never happen again!

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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The best place to use music as a stress reliever would be in the comforts of your own home.  Here you can set the scene for your relaxing environment.

I’ll just describe my idea of relaxing environment and you can use that, or, come up with your own ideas.  First, I’d start with a small room, then, I’d have a comfortable place to sit, such as a couch.  I’d light some candles with scents such as floral or woodsy.  I’d then lower the lights and make sure it was nice and toasty warm.

Now that we have the relaxing environment, we need to chose what type of music we want to listen to.  There are many types to choose from. Here are some selections you might want to consider.

• Classical music. Classical music refers to a group of music that strikes a chord within our own humanity. For one reason or another, despite their absence of lyrics, classical music pieces become timeless because of their moving characteristics. Some of them can uplift one’s soul, like Beethoven’s Fur Elise while others can induce sleep, like Brahm’s Lullaby and Strauss’ Waltzes. Some are proven to relieve stress, like Mozart’s Baroque Music. There is a wide selection of classical music to choose from, all of which are guaranteed to be beneficial for both your body and mind.

• Tribal music. This kind of music relies heavily on rhythmic patterns to establish a semblance of order in one’s thoughts. Patterned drum beats and beautiful wood instruments are guaranteed to set you mind at ease.

• Soothing sound effects.  Sometimes, the best relaxing music wouldn’t be considered music at all. Simple sounds, like the sound of ocean waves, a peaceful babbling brook, gentle rain, a soft wind, campfire wood crackling or crickets and night sounds would be enough to relax you.

There are many types of relaxing music that you can use, most of all, it just depends on what type of music works best for you.

Once you have found your perfect music, pop in your cd and sit back, close your eyes and just feel the stress leave your body.

I hope this has helped you some in how music can be used as a relaxing tool to relieve stress.

Please don’t forget to leave a comment.

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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Do you know someone that is experiencing panic attacks?  If you do, this information could be beneficial to you.  How a person suffering panic attacks is treated by their friends and loved ones can make a big difference in how they can control their panic attacks.

First off, NEVER make the person feel like they should just be ok, or that it’s no big deal.  It is a big deal to them and it needs to be treated as such.  Panic attacks are a real disorder.  They are not something that is made up or just in their head.

You need to understand that when a person is going through a panic attack, they need understanding, not berating or telling them that it’s all in their head or playing down the symptoms. These symptoms are real.  You may believe that they are not, but, please, don’t voice this opinion, that would just feed fuel to the other part of Panic Attacks, which is depression.  Instead, concentrate on what the person you care about needs at this time.  They are very distressed and frightened and need support.  You can not make this panic attack go away, you may want to, but only the person having the panic attack can do that.

Think of it this way, your loved one or dear friend was just in a horrible accident right in front of you.  You would do anything and everything to help them, now wouldn’t you.  You wouldn’t tell them that they had imagined this accident.  Well, that’s how you need to treat this panic attack.  They in a sense feel like they were in an accident and need help getting out.  You need to be their lifeline and do whatever you can to help.

How can you help you ask?  The main thing, just be there for them.  Let them know that you may not understand what they are going through, but, you will be there for them until they feel better.

Don’t force the person out of the panic attack.  Let it happen naturally.  Forcing them out of it can actually make it last longer by stressing them out even more.  They need to be made calm and if anything else, just be someone that listens to them.  I will never forget my best friend who was available at “ALL” hours of the night for me to call and talk to her.  That’s all I needed, just someone to talk to.  After about 15 minutes, I felt fine and most of the time, she never said a word.  

I hope this information will help you out some in what you might be able to do to help the person you are close to that has panic attacks.  

Please don’t forget to leave a comment.

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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I’m the type of person that I don’t like to be on doctor prescribed medication.  Not sure why, guess it just makes me feel old, or, not in control and I don’t like either feeling.  Anyway, I have done some research on different natural herbal remedies that work for panic attacks.  The following are the ones that are traditionally used:

• CATNIP - the tea has a soothing effect, relieves anxiety
• FENNEL - the tea relieves gastrointestinal upset
• KAVA - Tincture or capsules help minimize anxiousness
• HOPS - Relaxing effect on nervous system
• MOTHERWORT - Tincture helps stabilize emotions has calming effect
• PASSIONFLOWER - Used in tea or as tincture to promote relaxation and calm
• SKULLCAP - Tincture or capsules help relax and nourish nervous system and induce sleep
• ST. JOHN’S WART - Tincture helps restore emotional stability and ease depression
• VALERIAN - Tincture or capsules aid sleep

I myself used Valerian and think it worked for me.  Make sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any herbal supplements to make sure they don’t counteract with any prescribed medication you might be on. 

Another thing that people like to use is aromatherapy oils.  Here are some that are traditionally used:

Bergamot is said to be refreshing and uplifting.  It has a sweet and spicy scent.  Its properties are antidepressant, antiseptic, and antispasmodic. 

Cedarwood is said to be soothing and strengthening.  It has a woody scent.  Its properties are antifungal, antiseptic, astringent, and expectorant, sedative.

Geranium effects are comforting and healing.  It has a floral, sweet, earthy scent.  Its properties are antifungal, antiseptic, and antispasmodic, diuretic.

Lavender is said to be calming and therapeutic.  It has a floral, sweet, woody, herbal scent.  Its properties are analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic, insecticide, sedative.

Lemon is said to be refreshing and stimulating.  It has a fresh, sharp citrus scent.  Its properties are antiseptic, astringent, antiviral, and stimulant.

Neroli is said to be relaxing.  It has a refreshing floral scent. Its properties are antidepressant, antiseptic, and antispasmodic, sedative.

Patchouli is said to be relaxing.  It has a sweet, spicy, woody scent to it. Its properties are antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, and diuretic, sedative.

Sandalwood is said to be warming and relaxing.  It has a woody, sweet and exotic scent to it.  Its properties are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, and sedative.

Sweet Marjoram is said to be soothing and warming.  It has a warm, spicy scent.  Its properties are analgesic, antiseptic, and antispasmodic, diuretic.

I hope this gives you some information on the different herbal options that are available for Panic Attacks.  I’m sure there are many more, these are just the ones I know about at this time. 

I think it’s nice to know that there are other natural options available to help ease the symptoms of panic attacks besides taking prescription medication.  I’ve found this website that has most of these herbal remedies, check it out: Click Here

Please come back soon and feel free to leave comments.

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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There are ways to naturally relieve a panic attack once you are having one.  These will take practice before you can achieve your ultimate goal of being able to quickly get out of a panic attack, but, with practice, they will almost become second nature.

I have tried many things in the past to get through a panic attack. Here are a few things that I have learned that work for me. Maybe one of them might work for you as well.

·        Control your breathing. Start by taking slow, deep breaths. Doing this will reduce your panic attack symptoms. Try practicing this when you are not having a panic attack, doing this will make it much easier to do when you are actually having a panic attack.

·        Talk to yourself. Reassure yourself that this is just temporary and that the panic attack will pass in time. Tell yourself “I am not going to die”. Keep your thoughts positive.

·        Concentrate on something else. Try watching TV, reading a book, playing a game, or whatever activities that you can think of that will get your mind off of your panic attack.

·        Have a panic attack buddy. I’m sure there is someone that you have confided into about your panic attacks. Call them and talk to them. Sometimes all you need is to talk things out.

·        Meditation or yoga are always good stress relievers and might work for you.

·        Go for a walk.

·        Herbal remedies can work wonders. Aromatherapy, Lemon Balm Tea, Chamomile, St. Johns Wart or Valerian are some examples. I myself used Valerian and think it worked wonders.

In conclusion, I tried to show you some different ways that you might naturally relieve panic attacks.  By no means is this all of them, this is just what I have tried and found that works for me. 

Sign up for this blog so that you can keep coming back.  In a later post, I plan on going over these in more detail to try to walk you through how to do some of these.

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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1. Tips to Avoid a Panic Attack I have been living with Panic Attacks for over 11...

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I have tried each and every one of these tips myself.  They all work in their own way, you just need to find one or a combination of them that work best for you and stick to them. 

• Avoid caffeine.  Learn the food and drinks that have caffeine in them and the amounts that each have.  Find out what amount you can tolerate without having issues and stick to that.  For example:  I can drink a can or bottle of pop with caffeine in it and have no problems, but, drink one black cup of coffee and I’m on my way to a good panic attack.  Here are just a few things that have caffeine in them:  Chocolate, tea, pop, and coffee.
• If you feel like you are getting anxious, talk to yourself.  Keep your thoughts positive. Try to think of other things to get your mind off your anxious feelings.
• Exercise.  A lot of times, panic or anxiety attacks come from stress.  Exercising is a good way to relieve stress.
• If you feel like you are getting upset about something, talk the situation out with either the person that is upsetting you, or someone else that would be willing to listen.  Don’t keep it bottled up inside, these feelings are just fuel for a panic attack. 
• Get plenty of sleep.  Being tired can make all of your emotions that more intense.  On average, getting 6-8 hours of sleep a night is about what you want to have.
• Breathing Techniques.  If you feel like you are getting nervous, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.  There are many different breathing techniques to use, definitely find a breathing technique that is right for you.

I believe STRESS is my number one cause of panic attacks.  You will need to figure out what your biggest trigger is and find ways to either avoid that trigger or relieve it.

I hope that this post helps you out some.  I really would like to be able to help make panic attacks a thing of the past for you.

Sign up for this blog and get notified as new entries are added.

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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Since you are here, either you or someone you love has had at least one Panic Attack and you want to know more.  In this post, I will explain to you the best I can what a panic attack is.  

A panic attack is a sudden feeling of intense panic or fear that comes onto you for no apparent reason.  This will then trigger severe physical reactions like the following:

·     Rapid heart rate

·     Sweating

·     Trembling

·     Shortness of Breath

·     Hyperventilation

·     Dizziness

·     Faintness

·     Tightness in your throat

·     Trouble Swallowing

·     A sense of impending death

A panic attack can be the most frightening feeling that you can have.  They can occur at any time, any place and for any reason.  They usually will make you think that you are losing control, having a heart attack, or maybe even dying.   

I have been having panic attacks for over 11 years now and have been asked the same question at least a dozen times.  “What exactly does a panic attack feel like?”  Well, the best way that I have been able to describe it is this:  

You are driving down the road in your car and somebody pulls out in front of you.  You swerve and narrowly miss them avoiding an accident.  

NOW…after all this has happened, what do you feel?  Adrenaline, heart pounding in your ears, shortness of breath, PANIC.  These feelings are what a person having a panic attack feels like, but, instead of the brief few seconds you feel it, these feelings will go on for anywhere from a few minutes to sometimes hours for a person having a panic attack.  

 Although panic attacks can significantly affect your quality of life, there are treatment options available.  Each person is different and will need to figure out what course of treatment will help them.  I plan on discussing many of these in future posts.  I’ve tried a few things and will give my best review on each of them.

I hope this post will help you to understand what a panic attack is, and, if you are not the person experiencing them, maybe give you an insight into what your friend or loved one may be feeling.    

Striving for Life Without Panic Attacks,
Shawnna
http://www.helpwithpanicattack.com/free/index.htm

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