What Causes Anxiety and Panic?

What causes anxiety and panic and why does the body react so badly?

Matthew's reply: Hi, there is no easy answer to this because everyone is different in how they experience and deal with anxiety and anxious situations. Mild anxiety is a common and perfectly normal reaction to stressful situations. Anxiety can help us to focus better and handle stressful situations better. However, when you become overly or constantly anxious and begin to fear or avoid doing normal, everyday things because of anxiety then you obviously have a problem.

So, why do so some people develop chronic, debilitating anxiety and panic attacks? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), people with chronic anxiety and panic attacks usually have an underlying heart imbalance/weakness. Other organs such as the kidneys may also be involved. Note that I say this from a TCM viewpoint - Western Medicine is a completely different medical system and may recognize other causative factors.

In TCM, Chinese herbal medicine is used to nourish the heart, the blood and other organs involved. In addition you can also do a few things to help yourself, like slow, deep breathing and acupressure. The above is just a basic outline of the TCM view and treatment of chronic anxiety and panic attacks. For specific advice on your particular condition you would need to consult face to face with a TCM practitioner. Feel free to post further questions (below) on the TCM treatment of anxiety and panic attacks.

All the best,

Matthew