Panic Attack Treatment

Vitamins and Herbs

Vitamins and herbs have been used for a long time for various ailments including reducing anxiety and stress. B-complex vitamins are helpful in reducing stress. Oats, lemon balm, chamomile, valerian root and passion flower are all effective herbs in helping with relaxation as well as reducing anxiety. These herbs can be found as teas or pills. It is important to remember to not begin taking vitamin or herbal supplements without first consulting a doctor to make sure of side effects and possible drug interactions.

Anxiety attack treatment remedies are helpful to use at home. These techniques can help relax the individual to help stop or prevent panic attacks. It is important to remember that panic attack treatment remedies should be used in conjunction with any medical treatment necessary such as counseling or other medications.

Education

Education is a powerful tool in Panic Attack Treatment to reduce the anxiety felt during a panic attack. Fear of the unknown increases the anxiety felt during a panic attack. When a person learns the symptoms and what occurs during a panic attack, the fear of the unknown is not a factor. As the person identifies the symptoms as a panic attack, reassurance can be given to help calm down. The person can then more easily relax by focusing on positive ways to reduce the symptoms such as self-talk and relaxation. 

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a valuable tool as relaxing scents can help a person calm down. Lavender is a very calming and soothing scent. Lavender can be found in oils and sprays. It can be sprayed upon pillows for a calming effect to not only help panic attacks but also help the person get to sleep.

Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques are not only helpful in the midst of a panic attack but also an exercise to do on a daily basis for prevention. In the midst of a panic attack, one can pay attention and notice any specific muscle groups which are tense. The person can then focus on relaxing the muscles involved. This identification of tense muscle groups can be learned by intentionally tightening a muscle and then relaxing the muscle throughout the body. This teaches the individual how it feels for each muscle group to be tense as well as when it is relaxed so that during a panic attack, identification of tense muscle groups is easier.

Exercise

Selecting some form of daily exercise such as yoga, walking, bicycling or running is helpful. This not only helps in making one feel healthier and stronger but also helps to release endorphins which are helpful in the brain chemistry. Yoga is helpful as it not only focuses on stretching but also on breathing techniques which are helpful to use during a panic attack.

Self-Talk

Self-talk is a valuable tool when a panic attack arises. This is a technique which reassures the individual where the symptoms are coming from by reminders such as, “I’m having difficulty breathing, shaking, etc. because I am having a panic attack. This will pass as I relax and slow down.” 

Deep Breathing

Another helpful technique in the midst of a panic attack is to focus on the breathing. In a panic attack, it is easy to take shallow breaths or hyperventilate. As the person focuses on breathing deeply, it works as a relaxing agent to prevent hyperventilation as well as reducing the anxiety felt during the episode.