Alternative Treatments and Therapies

Breathing Techniques

Practising breathing techniques helps a panic disorder in two ways. Firstly, it aids relaxation. You are much less likely to suffer a panic attack if you are happy and relaxed. Secondly, if you implement your breathing technique in the early stages of an attack it will lessen the severity of it and perhaps stop it all together.

There are several techniques you can practise, but one of the better known is the 7:11 breathing technique. Make yourself comfortable, close your eyes, and start to focus on your breathing. In your mind, count slowly to seven as you inhale. Then exhale while mentally counting to 11. Repeat this process for several minutes. Practise on a regular basis to reduce any anxiety associated with your panic disorder, and also so you are comfortable using this technique to overcome the hyperventilation experienced during an attack.

Meditation

While stress and anxiety are natural – and necessary – human responses to certain situations, there comes a point where they become an unhealthy habit. Meditation helps clear the mind and reduces stress and anxiety, which in turn reduces the likelihood of a panic attack occuring.

Many people give meditation a go, but give up too soon because they find it difficult to master and hence are not seeing the benefits. If you are having trouble relaxing there are many resources available to teach you meditation, ranging from books and Cds, to evening classes and even weekend retreats.

Yoga

Yoga is beneficial for panic attack sufferers because it promotes healthy breathing techniques. As with the 7:11 breathing technique mentioned above, it teaches you to lengthen your exhaling breath in relation to your inhaling one. Yoga also, if done right, has the same relaxation benefits as meditation.

On its own, yoga may not be sufficient for a panic attack cure, but the most effective way to overcome a panic disorder is a holistic one where you focus on creating a healthy body as well as a healthy thought process.

Acupuncture

While alternative treatments are not suited to every one, some panic attack sufferers swear by acupuncture. Ensure you visit an experienced practitioner and if possible get a recommendation.

There is little scientific evidence to back up acupuncture but it may have a placebo effect, in that people believe it will work so it does. Since panic disorders are mostly cognitive rather than a physical ailment, anything that causes a placebo effect can be just as effective as a medical treatment.