Anxiety Attack Symptoms: Recognize Panic Attacks
Posted on | September 14, 2009 | 1 Comment
Many people don’t realize they are actually having an anxiety attack. Instead, they think they are having a heart attack, a stroke, or are just “going crazy.” The problem with an anxiety attack is that it is an out of control car that creates its own fuel.
That fuel is fear.
If you have ever experienced being uncomfortable and feeling that something just isn’t right when it comes to your breathing or the way your body seems to be failing you, it is entirely possible you could have been experiencing an anxiety attack symptom.
But, as a former anxiety attack sufferer, I can assure you that anxiety attacks can be controlled, if not eliminated. Let’s take a look at anxiety attacks.
Let’s take a look at some of the symptoms that usually come with anxiety attacks.
Why Am I Having An Anxiety Attack?
The causes of anxiety attacks vary depending on the individual.
Depression. My anxiety attacks began in conjunction with a state of depression after I lost my mother and mother-in-law within six months of each other. The intense depression, coupled with a rotator cuff injury that mimicked the symptoms of chest pain, caused me to have panic attacks.
Stress. Stress is also a huge factor in causing anxiety attacks. Indeed, often stress, coupled with another condition, such as depression, can trigger the attacks.
Medication. Medicine, especially blood pressure medicine is a known trigger of an anxiety attack, and being less than active is known to be a contributor as well.
There is no particular known reason why some people experience these attacks and others do not. There is also no reason why some sufferers seem to have only one or two attacks while others are plagued with them for a lifetime.
All that is known is that they are the body’s way of dealing with pressure.
What Are The Primary Anxiety Symptoms?
Anxiety attack symptoms vary from person to person.
Fear. The main symptom of an anxiety attack is fear. It is the fuel that drives the panic attacks. Once the attack is initiated, the symptoms of the attack cause more fear, which causes the symptoms to intensify. The cycle repeats itself until the person spirals out of control.
Rapid Heart Beat. This is one of the most common anxiety attack symptom. It can be found in most anxiety attacks, from the most mild to the most intense. Because of the association with a heart attack, sufferers often clutch at their chest in fear, when in reality they are experiencing anxiety.
Shortness of Breath. Because of its association with a heart attack, shortness of breath is another anxiety attack symptom that is experienced along side a rapid heart beat.
Lightheaded or Faint. This happens primarily in crowded area or in places where the sufferer is already hot. Many sufferers have a phobia about being in a crowded area and fainting. Often, this fear becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.
Fear of Losing Control. This fear manifests itself in response to the other symptoms that precede the attack such as a racing heart, and shortness of breath. It is a natural feeling for us to feel as if we are losing control of our own bodies.
Because many symptoms experienced during an anxiety attack are similar to those of other conditions, it is impossible to determine if you are having an anxiety attack or some other condition. It is important to see a doctor, so that he can run tests to determine the cause of the symptoms.
Anxiety Attacks Are Unique To The Individual
Everybody is different and may experience varying symptoms based on what their fears may be.
Once they get help treating anxiety, many people live normal lives once they learn to control their attacks. In the end, by visiting a physician to talk about the anxiety attack symptoms that bother you, an anxiety therapy plan can be put in place to help you in effectively overcoming anxiety. This makes it possible to ensure anxiety attacks do not have precedence over your life.
Related posts:
- Panic Attacks? Anxiety Help Is Available
- Anxiety treatment: What To Expect From Anxiety Therapy
- Anxiety Medications: The Best Drugs For Anxiety Help
Tags: anxiety attack > anxiety attack symptoms > anxiety symptoms > anxiety therapy > overcoming anxiety > panic attacks > treating anxiety
Comments
One Response to “Anxiety Attack Symptoms: Recognize Panic Attacks”
Leave a Reply
May 19th, 2010 @ 10:24 pm
A close friend of mine died of a Heart Attack, his heart condition is caused by him being so obese..~*