Anxiety and panic disorders often cause sudden feelings of terror that strike patients for no apparent reason. They may suffer palpitations of the heart, sweating, dizziness, weakness or nausea. Some people feel they are losing control or that they might die. Medication and psychotherapy works effectively for people with anxiety and panic disorder. However, therapists often teach patients natural techniques to do on their own that eventually end their irrational fears.
Function
Patients with anxiety and panic disorder learn about the body's "fight-or-flight" response that underlies many anxiety disorders through psychotherapy, Psych Central notes. This reaction stems from ancestral behavioral, in which our ancestors either had to fight or flee when spotting a dangerous animal while hunting. Physiological changes include increased heart rate, blood pressure and flow of adrenalin that may occur today to a perceived threat. Understanding the response helps patients deal with their reactions to their fears.
Effects
Relaxation and imagery techniques become natural ways to confront generalized anxiety disorder or panic attacks. Some people have severe panic attacks that make them feel they are having a heart attack or face imminent death. When these feelings arise, patients learn to shift to relaxation exercises. A person who undergoes a panic attack in a public area may look for a quiet place to sit down and use breathing methods. Imagery techniques may involve picturing a calm, safe place, such as a beach or lake. Patients may try to experience the sounds and smells of the place with closed eyes so they can feel as though they are there until the anxiety subsides.
Benefits
Relaxation techniques for panic attacks and disorder may work as effectively as therapy with a counselor, MayoClinic.com points out. Deep breathing exercises, yoga and meditation produce calming effects that relax the body and mind, so a person can feel more comfortable when venturing outside or performing daily routines.
Body and Mood
Progressive muscle relaxation also helps to reduce anxiety by relaxing the body. The patient tenses muscles throughout the body, usually starting at the toes and ending at the neck muscles. Each muscle group is held tightly for a few seconds and then released to relax the muscles, eventually providing a sense of relief throughout the body and an improved mood.
Considerations
Anxiety and panic disorder patients may purposely confront their fears to overcome them in a process called exposure therapy. The exposure may take place gradually to help desensitize patients to situations that trigger their anxieties, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Some patients with panic disorder fear places that have caused their anxiety attacks in the past. In the beginning, therapists may accompany the patient on outings to places the patient fears most. However, therapists encourage patients to expose themselves to the situations alone to deal with and conquer their anxieties over time.
