Panic attacks can be incredibly debilitating if you’re suffering from them. Whether caused by stress or something else, these episodes leave you feeling vulnerable and unsafe, filled with intense fear.

Traditional treatments include psychotherapy and medication. Unfortunately, these can have serious side effects like tolerance or addiction, drowsiness, nausea, sexual problems, and blurred vision.

Symptoms

Panic attacks are brief bursts of intense fear and anxiety that typically last ten minutes or less. Signs include shortness of breath, sweating, and an elevated heart rate.

People suffering from panic attacks often seek medical or mental health professionals’ assistance. They may be prescribed antidepressant medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs and SNRIs), as well as benzodiazepines for relaxation.

These drugs may be effective, but they also have potential negative side effects like tolerance or addiction, low blood pressure, breathing issues, and blurred vision.

CBD oil has shown promise in relieving these symptoms and offers a natural treatment option with fewer or milder side effects than pharmaceutical drugs.

CBD can offer a host of benefits to individuals suffering from panic disorder or anxiety. It may be taken daily as a supplement or in an emergency, but it’s best to gradually increase your dosage so your body has time to adjust.

Causes

Panic attacks occur when a person’s body senses an imminent threat or danger. This sets off adrenaline and the sympathetic nervous system into action, activating either the ‘fight or flight’ response – running away from or fighting against whatever it is that has provoked them to feel overwhelmed.

This response can protect a person from life-threatening situations, but it also has debilitating effects. That’s why it is essential to address the underlying causes of panic attacks and provide relief when they occur.

Stress is one of the primary causes of panic attacks. Many factors can contribute to stress, such as work, family, and personal relationships.

Panic attacks can also be caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People suffering from this disorder experience a heightened sense of threat and may engage in an internal dialogue that alternates between negative memories and intense feelings of distress or fear.

Treatment

Panic attacks are a relatively common form of anxiety and can affect anyone. They typically manifest as sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, and an elevated heart rate.

Untreated depression and anxiety symptoms can have a devastating effect on your life, making it increasingly difficult to socialize, work or attend school. You may start avoiding social situations altogether and begin to isolate yourself from others.

Thankfully, there are treatments available to reduce the severity of your panic attacks. These include psychotherapy and medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines.

A therapist can assist you in comprehending how your symptoms impact you and providing strategies to cope. These may include relaxation techniques, exercise, and mindfulness practices.

CBD, the non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, has been scientifically proven to be effective at relieving symptoms of anxiety. Studies have demonstrated that it works with your body to regulate moods and thinking patterns while helping stabilize an overactive amygdala – the part of the brain that response to fear – by working with it on a molecular level.

Prevention

Managing panic attacks can be a struggle, but there are steps you can take to lessen their intensity and frequency. These include avoiding triggers, discussing them with friends and family members, as well as seeking professional help if needed.

It can be beneficial to develop coping skills and strategies to use when an attack occurs. These could include techniques like relaxation exercises and desensitization.

Aside from these, a nutritious diet and regular exercise can also help prevent panic attacks. They will increase your body’s energy level and lift your mood, leading to less overall anxiety.

However, if these measures don’t seem to help control your attacks, speak with your doctor about pharmaceutical medications. These are usually reserved for severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments.