Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Anxiety and Panic Disorders are becoming more and more common in modern life. Although exact figures are hard to come by, it is estimated that up to 6.5% of the population has suffered from a diagnosable Anxiety Disorder, while many more people struggle with uncomfortable and distressing symptoms of stress, anxiety and panic attacks.

Diagnosis of Anxiety and Panic Disorders

GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD):   For a diagnosis of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)  to be made, at least three of the following four categories of anxiety symptoms must have been present for a minimum of a month:

• Motor tension - restless, cannot relax, trembling, shaky, jumpy, facial tics.

• Autonomic hyperactivity - sweating, cold, heart pounding, clammy hands, dry mouth, dizzy, light headed, hands/feet tingling, upset stomach, diarrhea, frequent urination, shortness of breath.

• Apprehensive expectation - anxiety, fear, constant worry and anticipation of misfortune to self and others.

• Vigilance and scanning - distractible, poor concentration, insomnia, irritable, impatient,  feeling "on edge" and constantly on the lookout. 

PHOBIAS AND PHOBIC DISORDERS: a phobia is a persistent and irrational fear about something    (an object, activity or situation) that results in an overwhelming desire to avoid the feared object, activity or situation. The person usually recognises that the fear is out of proportion, but feels powerless to control it. Mild phobias can be troublesome, but do not usually have a major impact on the person's life. When the phobia or avoidance behaviour is a source of considerable distress or interferes significantly with relationships or functioning, it is classified as a Disorder. Phobias are often, but not always present in Anxiety Disorders.

Anything can be the subject of a phobia, but there are three main types:

• Agoraphobia: fear of being in a public place from which escape or help might be difficult in the case of sudden illness e.g. crowds, public transport, malls, bridges.

• Social Phobia: fear of social situations in which the person worries that (s)he may be  scrutinised by others and be exposed to embarrassment or humiliation.

• Simple Phobia: Fear of anything else which does not fall into the above categories. e.g. animals, spiders, heights, flying, water, illness, germs, AIDS, etc.

In all the above cases, the fear is irrational and out of proportion and affects the individual's functioning to various degrees.

PANIC DISORDER

For Panic Disorder to be diagnosed, at least three panic attacks must have taken place within a three week period. Some people do, however, experience panic attacks which come and go, usually linked to stress and anxiety.

Panic attacks have at least four of the following symptoms: #sweating, #heart palpitations, #chest pain or discomfort, #choking sensations, #vertigo (dizziness), #feelings of unreality, #tingling in hands and/or feet, #hot or cold flashes, #feeling faint, #trembling, #fear of dying, collapsing or going "mad".                          

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

Obsessions are recurring and persistent thoughts, images, ideas or impulses over which the person  has little or no control and which cause considerable distress.

Compulsions are repetitive and stereotyped behaviours, often intended to produce or prevent some  future event or situation. The individual may realise that these actions are senseless, but feel unable   to resist them. There is often a build up of tension and extreme anxiety, until the behaviour can no longer be resisted. The individual often feels a temporary sense of relief and a release of tension after it is performed.

The obsessions or compulsions are often of such a nature that they are a source of great distress or  the individual's social, occupational or relationship functioning is severely impaired.  

Causes of Anxiety and Panic Disorders

While most Anxiety Disorders are psychological in origin, or linked to stress, anxiety symptoms may sometimes accompany medical problems like hyperthyroidism, nutritional deficiencies, chemical and hormonal imbalances and other conditions. It is important that a thorough medical examination is carried out to rule out these possibilities.  

Treatment Options

Prescription drugs are too often the the treatment of choice for the vast majority of people suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. Some examples of prescription drugs used to treat anxiety are Diazepam, Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Inderol, Clonidine, Imipramine or Wellbutrin. There are many others.

While all of the above psychiatric drugs have undergone clinical trials and have been found to be effective to varying degrees in controlling anxiety and panic attacks, patients are not always properly educated as to the dangers of long term use. Many people find themselves dependent on these drugs and can build up a tolerance to them.

Many people, even doctors, are not aware that anxiety and panic can often be successfully treated by using a combination of therapy and natural remedies, allowing the person to be in control, rather than the drugs.

What is Becalm?

Becalm combines the soothing properties of medicinal extracts of Melissa Officinalis, Lavender and Passiflora Incarnata, bringing you relief from anxiety, stress, irritability and nervous tension. Becalm can be used whenever necessary and is also useful in the treatment of shock. Just a few drops in a little water can bring almost instant relief!

Treating Anxiety with Becalm

People are not all the same and treatment for anxiety and panic attacks will vary according to the makeup of the person and the length and severity of the problem. Here is a guideline that will help you to decide which treatment is best for you!