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Holistic Treatment for Panic Disorder

Written on August 29, 2022
Holistic Treatment for Panic Disorder

More and more, people are interested in seeking out holistic treatment for Panic Disorder, understanding that in order to truly heal from this mental health condition, treatment needs to address the whole person and the root cause of the suffering it brings.

What Is Panic Disorder?

According to the NIH, roughly 2.7% of adults ages 18 and older and 2.3% of adolescents ages 13-18 experience Panic Disorder. This condition is characterized as episodes of intense fear often accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, sweating, fear of dying, trembling, shaking and more. While sometimes there are known stressors, episodes often occur “out of the blue.” 

Experts believe that Panic Disorder often occurs in people diagnosed with agoraphobia, and/or social phobia. Most notably, people with this disorder experience anxiety about social interactions and performance. Fortunately, there are some reputable treatment approaches.

Traditional remedies for Panic Disorder include:

  • Psychotherapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 

Holistic Treatment For Panic Disorder

Even with therapy and medication, Panic Disorder is most affectively treated when approached from all angles. Here are some suggestions to address panic disorder holistically along with traditional methods:

  1. Limit caffeine intake. Research suggests that caffeine increases nervousness and worsens anxiety.
  2. Limit alcohol use. Heavy alcohol use can create an imbalance in neurotransmitters. This imbalance can create an increase in anxiety.
  3. Get a good night’s sleep. Strong sleep schedules are known to increase mental health.
  4. Use deep breathing exercises when engaging in anxiety provoking activities. Breathing techniques help people work through difficult emotions, thoughts and sensations. By utilizing these techniques, individuals can work through symptoms of anxiety and possibly prevent escalating symptoms.
  5. Physical Activity. Exercise is great for diverting one’s attention and releasing anti-anxiety neurochemicals such as GABA, endocannabinoids, serotonin and dopamine.
  6. Meditation. Meditation and mindfulness based practices can help increase people’s ability to be in the present moment. This means that people can recognize their triggers and learn to work through their emotions. The goal here is to alleviate anxiety related symptoms through self awareness.
  7. Work with a nutritionist to build a diet that supports your nervous system.
  8. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, reiki, massage, herbalism, and reflexology can help manage panic disorder.
  9. Addressing underlying trauma with therapies such as EMDR can heal the root cause of panic disorder.

If you or someone you love is struggling with Panic Disorder, our team is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our holistic approach to this and other conditions.