Articles

 Panic Attacks and the Lymphatic Iris Type with Neurogenic Structure: Is there a Connection?

by Gina Locatelli, BCTN, CCI-3, BCCHS, BCFES, BCAS

Published June 2024 in the International Iridology Practitioners Association Newsletter

The Onset of Panic Attacks: A Personal and Clinical Perspective

Although it was some 35 years ago, I remember it like as if it were yesterday. It was 1989; I was at work, sleep-deprived, and several coffees in. Sadly, this was the norm during this period in my life. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer and was terminally ill, and I was trying to balance my career and my home life. Suddenly, I found myself gasping for air, floundering like a fish out of water, as I felt myself slowly losing consciousness with every pounding moment. I had no idea what was happening, and for a moment, I thought I was having a heart attack. I closed my eyes and expected to hear the ambulance pulling into the parking lot, sirens blaring.

Fortunately, my boss at the time was a very levelheaded woman; being a mother of four and married to the Santa Cruz County Harbor Master, she quickly recognized that I was having a severe panic attack. She softly touched my arm and patiently explained what was happening to me. We sat there for a while until I regained my bearings, and then someone came and picked me up to take me home. Looking back at that moment, I still feel so grateful that she was there. 

Unfortunately, this was only the start of my ongoing struggle with panic attacks. I experienced many more days like this before I understood why this was happening to me.

Caffeine, stress, lack of sleep, poor diet, family tension, a demanding job, and a dying mother-in-law—it was all too much for me. What I didn’t realize was that much like my body was on overdrive, so was my mind and my nervous system. Something had to give as I continued to push myself beyond my limits every day. However, I knew that I did not want to experience that horrible sheer, unadulterated panic ever again. Over the years, I made minor adjustments, but I lacked the proper resources or knowledge to help myself.  

Where could I go, and who could help me? The intense workload and my demanding personal life persisted—I was burnt out. I had no support, and self-care was not a term I had ever encountered; after all, this was before the self-care movement, roughly 30 years before mental health gained recognition among the general public. This situation continued through the 1990s and into the next few decades. I found ways to cope, but I didn’t have a viable, sustainable solution to the problem.

Now, as an Iridologist, I reflect on my earlier years and realize that some of the neurological processes I experienced made sense. I have a lymphatic iris with a neurogenic pattern by structure. I consistently worked long hours and longer nights on projects, overextending myself to the point of exhaustion. However, I resisted illness quite well and recovered quickly when I succumbed to it. I was physically strong enough and capable of pushing myself far beyond what I should do. I could run my company, write a column for the local magazine, chair a department at the county fair, and hold a county-level political seat, all while being a wife, a mother, and managing the home. Balance was not a word that had any relevance. I had no concept of pacing myself or my genetic predisposition to panic attacks.

What I’ve learned is that “Most [neurogenic structure types] are gifted with diligence, initiative and motivation, making them natural hard workers, but their industrious attitude can produce increased tension in the nervous system” (Miller, 2008, p. 64). Ms. Miller further states that these types should take life at a slower pace and be less demanding of themselves. 

In life, we wonder, Why am I like this, and Why can’t others keep up? Sadly, we seldom ask ourselves whether we should maintain this unrealistic pace. “Because they [neurogenic structure types] are physically strong, they can endure long hours of work, so they often end up staying up late and “burning the candle at both ends.” If they have pushed themselves and overworked themselves through the first part of their lives, they may tend to have a heart attack out of the blue…” (Tart-Jensen, 2012, p. 191). 

Remedies and Helpful Practices

Below is a list of remedies and helpful practices that I have adopted over the past three and a half decades. I have used each one at different times in my life and will continue to do so. Not only have they encouraged relaxation and support to equalize and stabilize the potential for tension and intensity, but they have also mentally empowered me to realize I can improve my quality of life despite certain genetic dispositions. My hope is that one or all of these methods can support you, a client, or someone you know.

Identify the Type of Person You Are 

Do you have a genetic predisposition for nervous system vulnerabilities such as nervous system tension, headaches, migraines, and/or stomach upset? “The Neurogenic structure is found in all colour groups, however it is most often seen in the Lymphatic group...they display what is referred to as Type A personality – always on the go, making them prone to nervous exhaustion and burnout” (Miller, 2008, p. 63).

Neuro-biofeedback

Neuro-biofeedback is a scientifically validated method for improving brain function. A brain map from EEG data analysis identifies which areas need training by using tools like video games or music to optimize brain function. For stress, panic, and/or anxiety, biofeedback teaches you to become aware of these patterns and shift your brainwaves, which then, in turn, teaches you to manage your nervous system more effectively.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a form of psychotherapy that allows you to work through heightened emotions or traumatic events. It is effective for many disorders, including depression, processing feelings of guilt, low self-esteem, anxiety, and panic attacks. In some cases, it can even stop panic attacks altogether.

Counseling 

Counseling allows individuals to explore their feelings, beliefs, and behaviors while simultaneously working through challenging or influential memories. This helps identify aspects of the individual’s life that they’d like to change, assists them in understanding themselves and others better, and teaches them to set personal goals.

Remove Yourself From the Stressor(s) 

How often do you check in with yourself? How are you feeling? Is there a particular scenario or person that’s causing you stress or anxiety? Sometimes, making changes in one or more of your environments is necessary to improve your overall well-being. Ask yourself, how often are you stuck in “fight or flight” mode versus in a peaceful state of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Lifestyle Changes

Caffeine, alcohol, a poor diet, stress, and a bad sleep schedule—if not properly managed—can all contribute to the potential for anxiety or panic. The foundations of health emphasize the need for daily doses of clean water, early sunshine, fresh air, a healthy variety of fresh, vital foods, adequate rest, and nurturing a spiritual bond with the Creator, allowing for a deeper understanding of our place in the universe.

For example, if you’re constantly restless at night but don’t look away from your phone until the early hours of the morning, you may want to consider creating a new nightly routine to support better sleeping habits. Prepare for success by making small, consistent changes in your daily routine.

Reiki 

Reiki is a type of energy healing that enables Universal energy to release stagnation and/or density from the body where there has been a physical injury or emotional pain. If left in the body, such blockages can cause illness or disease. Reiki is intended to encourage the flow of energy from Qi and help the body restore its vitality and charge. When Reiki is practiced regularly, it can help lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, promote better sleep, and ease joint and muscle pain. 

Essential Oils 

Chamomile, clary sage, lavender, neroli, and rose all have calming effects on the body and the nervous system. A drop or two of lavender on the feet before bed or even before a busy day can be both soothing and comforting. These oils help to balance the body’s frequency and offer olfactory delight.

Complementary Medicine 

Chiropractic, acupuncture, reflexology, and massage therapy soothe the nervous system. They bring harmony to the body, open the meridians, and promote relaxation so that homeostasis can occur, allowing the body to heal itself. Other helpful modalities include homeopathy, naturopathy, tai chi, and yoga (Jonas & Rosenbaum, 2021).

Flower Essences: Bach Flowers 

These remedies were designed to restore harmony and balance between mind and body by eliminating negative emotions such as fear, worry, hatred, and indecision, which in turn create space for peace and happiness to return, allowing the body to heal itself. Rescue Remedy is used when you are in a state of anxiety or panic and is even utilized by medical first responders. Another popular flower essence, Mimulus Bach Flower, can also be used to treat fear.

Homeopathy 

Homeopathy follows the principle that “like cures like,” which implies that substances that cause symptoms in a healthy individual can be used as a catalyst to treat a person exhibiting those same symptoms. For example, aconite is recommended for intense, sudden anxiety, panic, or fear, while gelsemium sempervirens is suggested for feelings of timidness, shakiness, or experiencing agoraphobia. 

Conclusion 

Now the question becomes: do we have enough evidence to suggest that those people with a lymphatic blue iris and neurogenic constitution by structure are potential candidates for panic attacks? The answer is: no, not quite yet. Although there isn’t enough data to reach that conclusion, we also need to consider factors beyond genetics, such as environment, lifestyle choices, diet, emotional well-being, and spiritual health. 

Is there a correlation between some of the lymphatic iris neurogenic types and panic attacks? Yes, there appears to be. This predisposition allows many of us to “push through” workloads and projects, or experience increased tension in the nervous system due to our assiduous nature. The propensity for vulnerability exists. The goal is to nurture this predisposition to avoid activating the susceptibility.

References

Jonas, W. B., & Rosenbaum, E. (2021). The Case for Whole-Person Integrative Care. Medicina, 57(7), 677. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57070677 

Miller, T. (2008). The Integrated Iridology Textbook. Inter Health Australia Pty Ltd. 

Tart-Jensen, E. (2012). Techniques in Iris Analysis: a Textbook for Iridology. Infinite Iris.