According to Beyond Blue, up to 40% of Australians will experience some kind of panic attack or panic disorder in their lifetime. Up to 45% of Australians will also suffer from some sort of mental illness. In any given year, around one million Australian adults have depression, and over two million have anxiety. [1] Learn about panic attacks, anxiety and how massage can help.
What are panic attacks and anxiety?
Panic attacks are defined as “an episode of panic”. This is often accompanied by sweating, racing heart, rapid breathing, dizziness, feelings of unreality, and fear of dying.
Generalised anxiety disorder (or GAD) is characterised by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry with no obvious reasons for worry. People with symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder tend to always expect disaster and can’t stop worrying about health, money, family, work, or school.
What causes panic attacks and anxiety?
There a number of factors contributing to the risk of developing panic attacks and anxiety including;
Genetics – high levels of anxiety and anxiety disorders as such are generally not inherited, however what can be inherited is a general sensibility or learned behaviours;
Physical – high intake of caffeine, nicotine, and using stimulant drugs such as LSD, cocaine, amphetamines and marijuana have been seen to increase anxiety in a person who has predisposition to it; withdrawal from drugs; poor nutrition; muscle tension are also contributing factors;
Environmental – childhood experiences, cumulative stress, adverse life events or major loss or life changes such as exposure to abuse, loss of job or loved one;
Behavioural – avoidance, recreational drugs, poor nutrition, lack of exercise;
Physiological – negative, unrealistic & irrational thinking; unhealthy beliefs; types of beliefs (good and evil, dread, guilt);
A combination of the above factors [3]
The signs and symptoms
Common physical symptoms are facial flushing, excessive sweating, muscle tension, numbness and tingling, shallow or rapid breathing, fainting and rapid heart rate.
The emotional symptoms of anxiety disorder occur simultaneously with the physical ones and include agitation, feelings of unreality or disassociation, irritability, nervousness and shyness.
What is the treatment?
Everyone’s experience of anxiety and panic attacks are as individual as the person. Treatment will be different for everyone, whether it be psychological, medical or other types of support. Treatment takes time and often a lot of trial and error before finding the right balance.
Most people with anxiety benefit from one or a combination of:
- lifestyle changes and social support
- psychological or ‘talking’ therapies
- medical therapies
How can massage help?
Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises and mindfulness are good anxiety treatments. It stands to reason that massage and bodywork would work as well.
Indeed, several research projects have shown that positive touch and massage are effective in reducing self-reported anxiety. Positive changes have been found in patients following massage therapy. Including reduced stress hormone, cortisol and increased good hormones, serotonin and dopamine.
Massage produces positive results for those with depression and depression-related conditions. Also with pain syndromes, autoimmune and immune chronic illnesses, and stress conditions. How it all works however, is still not clearly understood. [5]
Standard medical treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
Natural therapies treat anxiety with nutrition, vitamins (such as B-3 and B-12), minerals and amino acids. Referral to a clinical psychologist is normal but a naturopath or nutritionist could also be beneficial.
Remember…
Everyone is different and therefore it’s often a combination of factors that can contribute to developing anxiety. It’s important to remember that you can’t always identify the cause of anxiety or change difficult circumstances. The most important thing is to recognise the signs and symptoms and seek support.
If you or someone you know is suffering from anxiety please contact Beyond Blue to get the correct support you need.
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