If there are 'panic attacks' involved, you can also try the Healing Herbs version of the Bach Rescue Remedy - the Five Flower Formula:
The Five-Flower Formula is praised throughout the world by health practitioners and lay persons. The formula of five different flower essences - Clematis, Cherry Plum, Impatiens, Rock Rose, and Star of Bethlehem - was developed by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930's through his own practice and observation. Over the years it has come to be regarded as a "rescue" combination for its remarkable ability to address emergency and crisis conditions. Prepared in rural England by renowned teacher and naturalist, Julian Barnard of Healingherbs, Ltd., the formula is made according to the original directions of Dr. Bach. True to Bach's original intentions, it is not prepared or labeled as a homeopathic remedy, and it is Biodynamic and organic.
Clematis:
Positive qualities:
Awake, focused presence; manifesting inspiration in practical life; embodiment.
Patterns of imbalance:
Avoidance of the present by daydreaming; other-worldly and impractical ideals.
The soul in need of Clematis flower essence has a strong inner life; the ability to image and dream is particularly well-developed. But these capacities are so strong that they overwhelm and distort the soul's connection with the body and the concrete physical world. This results in a personality that is overly dreamy, lacking a vibrant emotional and physical presence in the here-and-now. Thus the great talents of the Clematis flower essence types are largely untapped, and physical illness easily takes hold of the body because the warm forces of ego are lacking.
In extreme states, such soul will be attracted to drugs, particularly psychotropic drugs, in order to continue the soul's addiction to disincarnated psychic activity. Clematis flower essence helps such persons to realize that the great gifts within them can be constructively channeled into the physical world; in this way the soul forces grow warmer, richer, and more present for others.
Cherry Plum:
Positive qualities:
Spiritual surrender and trust, feeling guided and protected by a Higher Power; balance and equanimity despite extreme stress.
Patterns of imbalance:
Fear of losing control, or of mental and emotional breakdown; desperate, destructive impulses.
Cherry Plum flower essence - There are times when the soul has difficulty bearing the weight of its incarnation. The circumstances of life oppress and condense the soul, so that it literally feels that it cannot take any more pressure or stress. There is the fear that one will lose control and become erratic, destructive, or even suicidal or insane.
The soul tries to protect against this fear of losing control by tightening its grip, which only leads to more pressure and stress. At these extreme times, Cherry Plum flower essence is indicated. It helps the individual to re-connect with the Higher-Self, to surrender. Once the Self renews its trust in a Higher Power, the mind can then stabilize, and the individual feels the capacity to cope with life's challenges again. Cherry Plum flower essence brings strength and encouragement, helping the soul to overcome its extreme tension and fear.
Impatiens:
Positive qualities:
Patience, acceptance; flowing with the pace of life and others.
Patterns of imbalance:
Impatience, irritation, tension, intolerance.
The souls who need Impatiens flower essence find it difficult to be within the flow of time; their tendency is to rush ahead of experience. In doing so, they deny themselves full immersion in life, even though they may appear very busy and engaged.
In particular, these individuals miss the more gentle and subtle exchanges which can occur with others, or with the world around them. Their overabundance of fiery force flares up easily into irritation, impatience, intolerance, and anger. Although quite mentally agile and extremely capable, the great inner tension and excitability of such souls leads to various physical disease states or premature aging due to 'burnout'.
The Impatiens flower essence type needs to experience not only the powerful flaming of life, but also its gentle flowering. Through the Impatiens flower essence, the soul learns to still the attention and deepen the breathing so that the inner Self becomes more receptive to the unfolding moment. The precious flower of life is then experienced in all of its fleeting fragility and delicate beauty.
Rock Rose:
Positive qualities:
Self-transcending courage, inner peace and tranquility when facing great challenges.
Patterns of imbalance:
Fear, terror, panic; fear of death or annihilation.
Rock Rose flower essence addresses the soul's need for courage, especially when in very extreme circumstances. This remedy is indicated for moments when the soul has stepped almost completely outside the body and is in a survival mode of consciousness.
The Self is forced to address a severe emergency, usually of life-threatening proportions such as violent attack or a traumatic accident. This remedy can also be indicated for the process of dying, when the ego is gripped by the fear that it will be utterly annihilated or destroyed.
Rock Rose flower essence restores sun-like forces of courage to the human soul so it can meet these tremendous challenges with self-transcending strength. Although Rock Rose flower essence can be used alone, it is most commonly used in the composite "Five Flower Formula" (with Star of Bethlehem, Impatiens, Cherry Plum, and Clematis) for maximum benefit.
Star of Bethlehem:
Positive qualities:
Soothing, healing qualities, a sense of inner divinity.
Patterns of imbalance:
Shock or trauma, either recent or from a past experience; need for comfort and reassurance from the spiritual world.
Star of Bethlehem flower essence is a deeply restorative remedy, with calm, soothing properties for people who have experienced shock or trauma. It is particularly helpful for individuals who have never adequately addressed a disturbance from the past.
Such persons often seek to anesthetize this trauma in inappropriate ways, such as through drugs, occult ritual, or a numbing of awareness. There is a longing and seeking for a part of the Spiritual Self which seems inaccessible. The nervous system often becomes deadened, and the mental facilities are lacking in vibrancy and coherency. In some essential way, the personality is out of alignment with its higher components, and is stymied form full and vibrant functioning.
Star of Bethlehem flower essence helps bring about this much needed psychic and spiritual adjustment, although other therapeutic and counseling measures are often necessary to help the individual fully access the trauma and its causes. Star of Bethlehem flower essence is also one of the ingredients in the Five-Flower Formula indicated by Dr. Bach for broad-based emergency and first aid use.