Home Remedies and Herbs for Panic Attack

A panic attack happens when you have a sudden and intense feeling of anxiety or fear. This then triggers several physical symptoms, which can further compound the anxiety. Panic attacks occur when there is no real physical danger, but rather when stressful events are taking place or frightening thoughts happen.^1,2

During a panic attack, it is common for people to feel as if they are losing control or maybe even that they are dying. Panic attacks usually intensify at their peak and then symptoms slowly fade. Panic attacks can last anywhere between 5 and 20 minutes. Some people experience feelings of panic for up to 1 hour or sometimes longer. ¹

Most people will experience at least one panic attack in their lifetime. However, when panic attacks occur consistently over long periods of time, it may be a sign of a clinical disorder called panic disorder.¹

What Causes Panic Attack?

Panic attacks causes are due to either a real or perceived stress or threat. This real or perceived stress or threat then sends your body’s sympathetic nervous system into “fight or flight mode”. Fight or flight mode is also called “acute stress response” and it’s a natural physiological reaction to a perceived threat or attack. ¹

While fight or flight mode is active, all other body functions shut down in an effort to protect you from the threat. This produces a rush of stress hormones, which create the panic attack symptoms such as elevated heart rate and sweating.³

Factors such as genetics, changes in brain function, and undergoing major stressful events are common panic attack causes and risk factors. ²

Panic Attack Symptoms

To be considered a panic attack, the person must experience at least 4 of the following panic attack symptoms during the timeframe of the attack:

• Accelerate heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Sweating
• Shortness of breath or difficult breathing
• Feeling of choking
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Shaking and trembling
• Chills or hot flashes
• Numbness or tingling
• Detachment from yourself (depersonalization)
• Fear of losing control or that you are dying

Panic attack symptoms can be a very frightening event. Fortunately, there are several panic attack natural remedies you can take during or after the attack to help calm you down. People who are prone to anxiety can take panic attack natural remedies to prevent attacks from happening.

References

1. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/understanding-panic-attacks.aspx
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/panic-attacks/basics/definition/con-20020825
3. http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response 
4. https://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/panic-disorder-agoraphobia/symptoms