Jamie Turndorf, Ph.D.

Dr Turndorf says, “Over the years, I’ve personally helped thousands of patients overcome their anxiety and panic disorders. I am successful because I understand that anxiety and panic reactions are always a symptom of other underlying emotional, physical and spiritual issues. I tirelessly dig until I uncover and resolve all the causes of the symptom.

For example, as far back as twenty-five years ago, I treated on the inpatient level a patient who was hospitalized for crippling anxiety. One day she told me that she always had anxiety attacks when shopping at the market. I suspected that she was dealing with buried negative emotions that surfaced in the market. I thoroughly investigated the question and soon discovered that she was angry with her husband for not helping with the chores.

She was suffering from what’s called “signal anxiety,” which occurs when buried anger threatens to break through to consciousness. The psyche “signals” this eruption by triggering an anxiety attack. In her case, the recognition of the buried rage was sufficient to resolve the anxiety, which was a symptom of the deeper feeling that she hadn’t recognized.

I detected adrenal fatigue and low blood sugar in another patient who suffered from crippling panic attacks. The list of success stories goes on and on. I want you to be the next success story!”

Symptoms of Anxiety

heart palpitations

sense of impending doom

inability to concentrate

muscle tension

dry mouth

tingling sensation in the limbs

sweating

queasy, jittery feeling in the pit of the stomach

hyperventilation

Anxiety can be short- or long-lived, depending on its source. The more long lasting the anxiety, the more additional symptoms you will experience.

If your anxiety is a reaction to a single, isolated event — the shot the doctor is about to give you, for example — your anxiety level will decrease and your symptoms will disappear after the event. If your anxiety is caused by friction between you and your mother-in-law, you’re likely to experience anxiety for a period of time before and after you see her. In this case, the symptom list may have grown to include diarrhea or constipation and irritability.

What Causes Anxiety?

Essentially, anxiety is part of the “fight or flight” mechanism, a carryover from prehistoric days when men were hunters or hunted; their instincts readied them to attack — or run from an attack. Anxiety kept them alive, as it caused adrenaline to be released into the bloodstream, causing the liver to release sugars into the system to ready them for the fight.

That warning system is still necessary for today’s emergencies. Trouble is, we experience the manifestations of the “fight or flight” mechanism even when it’s not really appropriate to our modern stressors. Yet, chronic stress causes the body to get locked into a permanent state of high alert.

In no time, we’re physically reacting as though we were in a life-threatening situation. The problem is the body’s response to such stress. When anxiety is severe or prolonged, the powerful “fight or flight” chemicals can cause anxiety and panic reactions and damage your body’s organs. Eventually, anxiety can cause a full-fledged illness, such as headaches and high blood pressure.

While stress is most often at the root of anxiety symptoms, they can be caused by physical problems as well. If your anxiety symptoms are persistent, get checked out by your doctor so that you can rule out the following:

Hyperthyroidism, which may produce symptoms that resemble those of anxiety

Heart disorders, which can cause rapid heartbeat, often associated with anxiety

Caffeine and chocolate, which can produce nervous symptoms even in moderate amounts

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), peri-menopause and menopause

Diet pills

Anemia

Diabetes

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Alcohol can trigger anxiety and panic reactions

Adrenal fatigue

Home Remedies for Anxiety

Aromatherapy, especially lavender

Yoga

Deep breathing

Meditation

Tapping above the lip, which triggers the relaxation response

Foods that Diminish Anxiety

Almonds. Soak 10 raw almonds overnight in water to soften, then peel off the skins. Put almonds in blender with 1 cup warm milk, a pinch of ginger, and a pinch of nutmeg. Drink at night to help you relax before going to bed.

Celery. Eat 2 cups celery, onions, or a mixture of the two, raw or cooked, with your meals for a week or two. Both vegetables contain large amounts of potassium and folic acid, deficiencies of which can cause nervousness.

Onion. See celery, above.

Orange. The aroma of an orange is known to reduce anxiety. All you have to do to get the benefits is peel an orange and inhale. You can also drop the peel into a small pan or potpourri burner. Cover with water and simmer. When heated, the orange peel will release its fragrant and calming oil.

Orange juice. For a racing heart rate associated with anxiety, stir 1 teaspoon honey and a pinch of nutmeg into 1 cup orange juice and drink.

Rosemary. Used in the Middle Ages to ward off “evil spirits,” rosemary has a calming effect on the nerves. Make a tea by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herb to 1 cup boiling water; steep for 10 minutes, then drink. Inhaling rosemary can be relaxing, too. Burn a sprig, or use rosemary incense to ease anxiety.

Other Natural Remedies for Anxiety

Baking soda. Add 1/3 cup baking soda and 1/3 cup ginger to a nice warm bath. Soak in the tub for 15 minutes to relieve tension and anxiety.

Sesame Oil. Sesame oil is great, but sunflower, coconut, or corn oil will work, too. For a wonderful, anxiety-busting massage, heat 6 ounces oil until warm, not hot. Rub over entire body, including your scalp and the bottoms of your feet. A small rolling pin feels marvelous! Use the oil as a massage before the morning bath to calm you down for the day’s activities. If anxiety is keeping you awake, try using it before you go to bed, too.

Do Remember

Keep a diary to track — and then eliminate — events that might trigger anxiety. Also make note of foods, as some of the things you eat may be responsible for the symptoms.

Indulge in noncompetitive exercising, such as walking, bicycling, or swimming. It’s good for you, both physically and emotionally.

Meditate, pray, or indulge in a mental flight of fantasy. Do whatever it takes to give your mind a break.

Breathe in, breathe out. Slowly, deeply. This is relaxing.

Chat with a friend, a psychotherapist, a clergyman. Talking about your anxiety can relieve it.

Make a mental list and check it twice. It doesn’t matter what’s on the list. This is simply an exercise in repetitive thinking that can distract you from what’s causing the anxiety.