How To

How to Treat Panic Disorder Naturally

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(3 Ratings)

A panic disorder is a psychological or neurological condition that is marked by intense anxiety or panic attacks. These attacks are severe enough to affect one's ability to deal with everyday life. While a majority of panic disorder cases are treated with anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication, you can treat this condition naturally through diet, exercise and behavior modification therapy.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Vitamins and herbal supplements and teas
  • Health care professional

    Treat a Panic Disorder Naturally

  1. Step 1

    Ask a health care professional about behavior modification therapies, which can be quite effective in treating a panic disorder. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is particularly helpful in treating panic disorders, since it seeks the causes of the panic attacks and then serves to replace those behaviors and responses with substitutes that are more acceptable.

  2. Step 2

    Find out about interoceptive exposure therapy, where the symptoms of a panic attack are triggered on purpose so that the therapist can demonstrate that no harm will come to the patient. While this type of therapy can be quite risky at times, it has also been shown to be an effective way to treat a panic disorder naturally.

  3. Step 3

    Begin an exercise regimen that includes relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, tai chi, yoga and other stretching exercises. These activities will help to eliminate the stress in your life that may be causing the panic and anxiety attacks.

  4. Step 4

    Avoid substances in your diet that contain stimulants, such as caffeine and sugar. Stimulants may cause you to feel more jittery, nervous and irritable and may serve to trigger a panic or anxiety attack.

  5. Step 5

    Treat a panic disorder naturally by finding out about vitamin supplements and herbal formulas that have been designed specifically for people who experience panic attacks. B-complex vitamins may have a calming or balancing effect on an individual suffering from panic disorders, and herbal supplements and teas containing valerian root, evening primrose oil, chamomile and flaxseed oil may also be effective.

Tips & Warnings
  • Seek medical evaluation immediately if you are experiencing panic attacks on a regular basis. A panic disorder may be caused by or associated with a more serious medical condition, such as an inner-ear disorder, hypoglycemia or even a heart condition.
  • Resist using alcohol as a way to deal with a panic disorder. As many as 30 percent of all sufferers of panic or anxiety attacks admit to using alcohol to treat their condition. Therefore, many people who suffer from panic disorders also become alcoholics.

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