Anxiety and Panic Attack Management - 1

[Guest guest]

After discussing depression in Post No. 1549 this series of articles

will deal with the Ayurvedic view on Anxiety and Panic Attacks (APA)

faced by most of us, due to stresses and strains of modern life but

predominantly in metropolitan and city areas.

 

In this first post the author will introduce and familiarize the

reader with this disorder and its symptoms, and the Ayurvedic view

and herbal and other treatments will be discussed in subsequent

posts. Although APA is the main focus here, the information given

also applies to many other disorders coming under the heading of mood

and behaviour. Some of this information already exists elsewhere on

the internet but what the author has done is present it in a

simplified form in an attempt to help sufferers of these common

disorders. Information is also added from the author's own

experience, as well as references from some of the ancient texts.

 

Just like the monster in the attic that we, as kids, knew was waiting

to come out in the dark to pounce on us, so anxiety and panic attacks

(APA) and even everyday worries, can become vicious enough to make us

want to hide under the covers from the world for a very long time.

Everyone experiences some form of anxiety at one time or another

during their life span.

 

 

Most of us experience anxiety when we're faced with stressful

situations or traumatic events. Our hearts pound before a big

presentation or a tough exam or interview. We get butterflies in our

stomachs when meeting an unknown person. After leaving the house and

halfway through the journey, we do not remember whether or not we

locked the apartment door properly, turned off the switches or the

taps properly. We worry and fret over family problems or feel jittery

at the prospect of asking the boss for a raise. Anxiety is part of

our natural " fight-or-flight " response. It's our body's way of

warning us of possible dangers ahead.

 

Anxiety is a behavioural condition rather than an illness. Its root

causes are hidden in fears or worries. Other reasons such as family

conflicts, separation from a loving spouse or family members,

inadequate support from parents and anxious parents themselves, are

also possible causes. Viewing oneself as powerless and rest of the

world as the threatening enemy is a very pessimistic view which on

its own can precipitate anxiety. Anxiety may have its roots in a

person's early life from any type of abuse or developmental trauma.

Trauma in infancy, in early childhood or in puberty, can lead to a

pervasive and lasting sense of helplessness that can develop into

anxiety or depression (APA) in later life, just as innocent girls who

have been sexually molested may later develop sexual phobias and

other apparently irrational fears.

 

The number of people who suffer in this way has dramatically

increased today since many medications directed towards the nervous

system and psychological disorders also initiate APA. Immuno-

suppresant drugs are the most notorious examples, but other drugs

include:

 

Inhalers and other respiratory medications.

Herbal remedies such as Ma huang and ephedra.

High blood pressure medication (ACE inhibitors and Beta blockers

cause several side effects which are similar to anxiety symptoms,

especially breathing difficulties.

Withdrawal from alcohol.

ADHD medications (Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine).

Withdrawal from benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Restoril).

Caffeine and other stimulants.

Drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines.

Over-the-counter medications such as decongestants.

Steroids such as cortisone and prednisolone.

Weight loss products.

Hormones (birth control pills, thyroid medication).

 

Many illnesses themselves may cause APA. e.g. disorders of the

endocrine glands (thyrodism, diabetes, hypoglycemia, adrenal

disorders, epilepsy, heart disease, migraines, insomnia, etc). PCOS

patients over 35 years of age, trying fertility medications, have a

high chance of developing APA since the body cycles are slow and the

waiting time for success may be lengthy.

 

APA may cause self imposed isolation and interference in freely

moving outside the home as well as socialization with other people.

It produces some scary sensations. Since everyone is unique we

respond differently to APA and may experience quite diverse

sensations such as:

 

Rapid heart beat, pounding heart or palpitations.

Sweating, especially the palms of the hands or the face.

Visible shaking of the body, or a shaky feeling inside.

Choking sensation (lump in the throat).

Smothering or shortness of breath or breath becoming too rapid and

shallow.

Fingers or toes may have cramping sensations or spasms and curl up.

Chest pain or tightness.

Nausea, bloating, indigestion, abdominal discomfort, or diarrhea

(loose, watery bowel motions).

Dizziness, unsteadiness, loss of balance while walking.

Light headed feeling

Feeling unreal, dreamy.

Depersonalization.

Fear of loosing control or going crazy.

Loss of appetite or libido.

Numbness, tingling, twitches, jitter, in face, hands, legs or body.

Hot flashes, cold flashes, feeling feverish but without a change in

temperature.

Low grade fever.

Skin becomes colorless, blotches on skin, blushing.

Cold hands or feet.

Urgent need to urinate or defecate.

Frequent anxiety attacks can cause many problems with our mood, work

or relationships.

 

The following symptoms related to the mind and the emotions may also

develop:

 

Apprehension, uneasiness and dread.

Feeling shaky.

Irritability or easily excited.

Emotional volatility, rapid emotional changes.

Difficulty thinking clearly.

Insomnia (difficulty falling and staying asleep).

Pale skin.

Mental status changes.

Mood changes rapidly.

Restlessness, excitement.

Increased activity.

Decreased attention span.

Excitement.

Fear.

Confusion, disorientation.

Agitation, irritability.

Hallucinations (visual hallucinations such as seeing things that are

not present are most common).

Sensory hyperacuity (highly sensitive to light, sound, touch)

Decreased mental status.

Sleepiness, lethargy.

Deep sleep that persists for a day or longer (this usually occurs

after acute seizures).

Usually generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Body tremors.

Impaired concentration or selective attention deficit.

Feeling restless or on edge.

Avoidance.

Hypervigilance.

Irritability.

Confusion, brain fog.

Nervousness and jumpiness.

Self-consciousness and insecurity.

Fear that we are dying or going crazy.

Strong desire to escape and go to a distant place.

 

 

These above feelings are caused during periods of intense stress and

anxiety. We are strong, although we may not feel it. The fear that

the heart may stop due to overwork, and the fear we experience with

the racing heart rate or pulse etc., can be reduced considerably by

having an ECG. Often after an APA the patient's body feels tired and

shaky, but knowing these things beforehand makes us far less

concerned about such symptoms.

 

If we study the symptoms mentioned here we realise that almost

everyone of us may be considered victims of an APA disorder! It is

only when these symptoms occur frequently or regularly and more than

one are observed at the same time should we begin to consider it a

more chronic problem of concern.

 

Editing by Jane MacRoss is gratefully acknowledged.

 

 

Dr. Bhate

 

 

(To be continued ........)

[Guest guest]

Very interresting article.I am suffering from chronic anxiety for last 2 years.I

suffer from the symptoms given in the article daily.One day one is more than the

other.I live in Europe and here they call it hyperventilation. They have also

done a test to prove it. AS recommended by the docter,I have done some breathing

exercises. Nothing helps much.

 

Can you please suggest me some way to come out of this?I have become hopeless in

these last 2 years.

 

Thanx in advance,

Pia

huetingpia

_________________________

 

After discussing depression in Post No. 1549 this series of articles

will deal with the Ayurvedic view on Anxiety and Panic Attacks (APA)

faced by most of us, due to stresses and strains of modern life but

predominantly in metropolitan and city areas.

[Guest guest]

please go through www.researchayurveda.org consultation page , after detailed

evaluation we prescribe medicnes for you.

thanks you

ayurvedic

________

 

Very interresting article.I am suffering from chronic anxiety for last 2 years.I

suffer from the symptoms given in the article daily.One day one is more than the

other.I live in Europe and here they call it hyperventilation.

[Guest guest]

I have read a part of it as I don't know which part should I read exactly.

 

Pia

__________

please go through www.researchayurveda.org consultation page , after detailed

evaluation we prescribe medicnes for you.