Anxiety in Armageddon

Of all the diseases and disorders we’ll encounter when things fall apart, anxiety will top the list.  For those who are caught unawares, the stress of off-grid living and loss of electronic pacifiers, loss of communication with distant friends and family, and not knowing what’s happening will be incapacitating.  Even those who have prepared long and well may experience difficulty adjusting.  Because the pharmaceuticals used to treat these conditions are daily maintenance meds, they’ll be the first meds to be exhausted without any hope of re-supply.  Those diagnosed with anxiety before the collapse will have the opportunity to acquire a store of medication in advance, but even those will run out eventually.  Fortunately there is a whole lot we can do to prepare, and the most important “meds” are free.

Anxiety is marked by any number of the following emotional and physical symptoms:

• Emotional symptoms
• Difficulty concentrating[1] [2] [3]
• Extreme pessimism[4]
• Inability to stand still[5]
• Irrational fear[6] [7] [8] [9]
• Irritability[10] [11]
• Jumpiness[12]
• Mental paralysis/inability to act[13] [14]
• Physical symptoms[15]
• Headache [16] [17]
• Insomnia [18] [19]
• Palpitations (rapid pulse) [20] [21]
• Perspiration[22] [23]
• Shortness of breath[24]
• Tense muscles[25] [26]
• Trembling[27]
• Tremors/tics/twitches[28]
• Upset stomach/diarrhea[29] [30]

Acute anxiety attacks or panic attacks are distinguished by intense feelings of fear and impending doom as, you know, people might experience when we totally collapse.  They usually occur without warning and are short-lived.  (Which I would define as less than 10 minutes, but according to doctors they may last an hour or more.)  Those most at risk for panic attacks are young adults.  Complaints include hyperventilating[31] [32], feeling faint[33], chest pain, choking sensation, claustrophobia, nausea, and hot flashes.[34]

Risk Factors

Eliminate all alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco use to reduce anxiety.[35] [36]  Researchers have found that individuals deficient in magnesium are much more likely to develop anxiety.[37]

Common anti-anxiety medications are available by prescription only and as all have the potential for serious side effects and require close monitoring by a physician, they’re a bit impractical for building up a supply.  Doctors recommend the following pharmaceuticals for treating an acute anxiety attack.

Treatment Options

• Pharmaceuticals
• Cetirizine[38]
• Diphenhydramine[39] [40]
• 50 mg every six hours[41]
• Doxylamine succinate[42]
• Meclizine[43]
• 50-100 mg daily in divided doses[44]

Fortunately, we have a wide array of herbal treatment options.

Herbs

• Bergamot
• Essential oil[45]
• Catnip
• Infusion[46]
• Chamomile[47]
• Infusion[48],
• 2-3 teaspoons dried flower per cup[49]
• Chrysanthemum
• Infusion[50]
• Cypress[51]
• Fennel
• Infusion[52]
• Geranium
• Essential oil[53]
• Ginseng
• Infusion, 1 teaspoon root per cup, steep for 5-10 minutes[54]
• Jasmine
• Essential oil[55]
• Lavender[56] [57]
• Infusion[58]
• Lemon balm[59] [60]
• Infusion, 1 teaspoon dried leaf or 5-6 fresh leaves per cup[61] [62]
• Tincture[63]
• Mullein
• Infusion[64]
• Oregano
• Essential oil aromatherapy[65]
• Passionflower[66] [67] [68] [69] [70] [71] [72]
• Peppermint
• Infusion[73]
• Rose
• Essential oil[74]
• Rosemary[75]
• Essential oil, aromatherapy[76] [77] [78]
• Sandalwood
• Essential oil[79]
• Sweet orange oil
•             Aromatherapy[80]
• Valerian[81] [82] [83] [84]
• Infusion, 1 teaspoon dried root per cup, steep 10 minutes[85]
• Verbena
• Infusion[86]

I’m convinced that a significant number of the mental health issues in American society today arise from the fact that individuals are less connected to family and friends than even before in history, particularly younger people.  They haven’t developed solid social skills, and it’s those social interactions that help reduce anxiety.  The medical industry makes their profits with pills and expensive therapist appointments.  The following “intangibles” which have proven benefits are rarely recommended.  Fortunately, they are free and we can prepare to use them well

Intangibles

• Listen to what her worries are[87]
• Have patient write down concerns[88]
• Work on what she has control over, disregard rest[89]
• Constructive/productive activities[90] [91]
• Eat well[92]
• Exercise[93]
• Forgiveness[94] [95]
• Gardening[96] [97]
• Generosity (helping another person)[98]
• Gratitude[99] [100]
• Laughter[101] [102]
• Positive social interaction[103] [104]
• Prayer[105]
• Sleep well[106] [107] [108]

When things fall apart, individuals suffering from anxiety will be everywhere, even in our own families, and we may even be the ones afflicted.  Recognize it as normal.  We need to take time to write down concerns, talk with others, and then focus on what we have control over.  We can raise food and exercise, and make sure we eat and sleep well.  Show gratitude, pray, help another person, and laugh a lot. 

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[1] Joseph Alton, The Survival Medicine Handbook, 3^rd Edition 2013, 458.

[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961

[3] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders

[4] Joseph Alton, The Survival Medicine Handbook, 3^rd Edition 2013, 458.

[5] Joseph Alton, The Survival Medicine Handbook, 3^rd Edition 2013, 458.

[6] Joseph Alton, The Survival Medicine Handbook, 3^rd Edition 2013, 458.

[7] Survival and Austere Medicine, 3^rd Edition, 2017, 387.

[8] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961

[9] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961

[10] Joseph Alton, The Survival Medicine Handbook, 3^rd Edition 2013, 458.

[11] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders

[12] Joseph Alton, The Survival Medicine Handbook, 3^rd Edition 2013, 458.

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[14] Survival and Austere Medicine, 3^rd Edition, 2017, 387.

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[25] Joseph Alton, The Survival Medicine Handbook, 3^rd Edition 2013, 458.

[26] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961

[27] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961

[28] Joseph Alton, The Survival Medicine Handbook, 3^rd Edition 2013, 458.

[29] Joseph Alton, The Survival Medicine Handbook, 3^rd Edition 2013, 458.

[30] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders

[31] Cynthia Koelker, Armageddon Medicine, 2012, 506.

[32] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961

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[35] Survival and Austere Medicine, 3^rd Edition, 2017, 387.

[36] Joseph Alton, The Survival Medicine Handbook, 3^rd Edition 2013, 458.

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