CASE 2

Panic Attack

Roughly 1.5% (perhaps as high as 5%) of adults will experience panic disorder at some time in their lives. ^19,20 Panic attacks normally start during the late teens or early twenties and are at least twice as common in women as men. ²¹

Caroline, a 25-year-old Canadian woman had suffered acute severe panic attacks on being promoted to a management position. Symptoms included unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that included shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, heart palpitations, dizziness, and abdominal distress. These symptoms only presented on days of important meetings and project deadlines.

Neurotherapy navel diagnosis indicated problems mainly in the Stomach (+++) and to a lesser extent in the Pancreas (+) and Uterus (+). The treatment plan for these kinds of patients is a relatively simple regime of treating the deficient Pancreas, Stomach (more intensive treatment) and Uterus by applying mild pressure to the arms and legs of the patient at strategic locations.

Caroline responded very quickly, and after 4 weekly treatments her panic attacks disappeared.

Discussion

Several models can be put forward for the reasons for success:

1) NT navel diagnosis revealed central abdominal pain radiating from the upper to the lower quadrant. According to NT the organs of the Pancreas (+), Stomach (+++) and Uterus (+) were not functioning optimally. Henceforth Neurotherapy treatment targeted these organs, thus improving the blood flow to these areas and optimal functioning of these organs. ⁶

2) Neurotherapy believes that the body is the best producer of various hormones, enzymes, and chemicals. Sluggish organs need external assistance to recommence their functions. This therapy provides this by stirring and accelerating all circulation within a system, stimulating glands to optimally produce the particular chemicals required. ⁶

3) A very recent research study using positron emission tomography (PET) scans on living humans demonstrated a significant deficit of serotonin receptors in patients with panic disorder. Smaller deficits are seen in patients with depression.²² The development of 5-HT1A agents as potential "anxioselective" drugs by pharmaceutical companies indicates its value in such treatments.

As mechanosensitive enterochromaffin cells exist in the gastrointestinal epithelium, and these cells contain over 95% of the serotonin found in the body²³, thus a possible mode of action would be that stimulation of the stomach by Neurotherapy, may result in the production of this natural serotonin and this may have played a part in the symptomatic relief.

4) According to Eastern philosophy, the life force or prana or chi flows through the top of the head and down the chakras. As we are stimulating the energy in the Manipura or Solar plexuses Chakra, this may have several implications. Authorities such as Caroline Myss²⁴ state that this chakra has several functions; (a) Organs - abdomen, stomach, upper intestines, liver, gall bladder, pancreas spleen. (b)Emotional issues such as fear, intimidation, self-esteem and responsibility. Thus the possibility arises that this may play a role in symptomatic relief.