Questions About Specific Health Issues
Type A and Panic Disorder QUESTION
I am a Type A who has just discovered your book. I am looking forward to beginning the Type A diet and exercise plan! My question is: what can you suggest (other than the guidelines for Type A already in the book) for panic disorder and anxiety attacks. In the past I have been prescribed Xanax and/or anti-depressants, but want to find a more natural therapy for this aggravating problem. I suspect that beginning the yoga exercise and stress reduction techniques will help, but are there any particular supplements or herbs/phytochemicals that might help with this disorder? I am a 45-year old woman just beginning to experience symptoms and signs of menopause too and would welcome any comments or suggestions on that subject as well. Thank you for caring about others' health and thank you in advance for any help or suggestions you might have for my particular concerns.
ANSWER
The yoga technique of "alternate nostril breathing" would be an excellent adjunct to the type A diet. Both help lower cortisol, an important stress hormone manufactured more commonly by type A than by the other types. Alternate nostril breathing just requires that you close one nostril with the finger, breath in with the open nostril, change positions, and breathe out with the other. Do this 15-20 times, then reverse thr procedure. Studies have shown this to be valuable in balanceing out the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, an important cause of panic type attacks.
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