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Question:
I know that Kava can help with anxiety, but does it have any effect on panic attacks? I have them so bad that I am afraid to go out anymore.
Answer:
Panic attacks are most often associated with a condition known as agoraphobia - an intense fear of being alone or being in public places. As a result, most people with agoraphobia become housebound. It sounds like you may be suffering from agoraphobia.
In the treatment of anxiety, kava appears to be as effective as standard drugs, yet considerably safer. As far as panic attacks or agoraphobia are concerned, kava has not been sufficiently evaluated. But, given its proven effectiveness in anxiety it is certainly worth a try. The dosage of kava preparations is based on the level of kavalactones, 45 to 70 mg of kavalactones three times daily. If you are taking an anti-anxiety drug, be sure to tell your doctor that you want to give kava a try, as he/she will need to monitor you for any adverse interaction.
I also recommend a good high potency multiple vitamin and mineral formula and one tablespoon of flaxseed oil daily. It has been suggested that patients with anxiety and panic attacks may suffer from a deficiency of alpha-linolenic acid - the essential omega-3 fatty acid found in high concentrations in flaxseed oil. In one study, 3 out of 4 patients with a history of agoraphobia for 10 or more years improved within 2 to 3 months after taking flaxseed oil.
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