Health Articles

Every one of us is affected by anxiety at one stage or another in our lifetime. Even though it is quite prevalent we need to know the difference between the usual anxiety and the chronic anxiety that usually leads the sufferer to anxiety panic attacks. Some common anxiety attack symptoms are discussed in this article.

Many symptoms are physical and they’re caused when we are on the verge of fighting or trying to get away from a danger or a threat. Even though we have evolved from the caveman, this instinct still tends to occur and overcome us – a lot unseemly at times.

When we are trying to run away from danger or preparing to fight our heartbeat rises and circulates more blood to lungs, kidneys, liver and other important organs that require blood the most. The lungs are also working harder to assist the heart and to provide us more oxygen to run and the muscles brace themselves for action. This leads to palpitations, tightening of the chest, sharp pains and shortness of breath that are commonly associated with anxiety attacks. Adrenaline is released in larger quantities in your body which is the reason for muscle twitchiness, cold and hot feelings and stomach related abnormalities like butterflies, weak legs, constipation and vomiting. The mind and other senses also become sharper and alert.

As a matter of fact, such bodily behavior is just to deal with the fight-or-flight needed at that moment. However, such anxiety attack symptoms even occur at times when there is nothing to fight or flee. All our instincts of not only outside our body but within it as well grow out of normal proportions. It is understandable when such perceptions occur when we are in the middle of a fight etc, but if this happens under normal circumstances – then what?

In this case, the mind is responsible for wrongly perceiving a threat and preparing the body accordingly. A threat is not there, though. The oxygen supply and adrenaline flow keeps on growing but there is no outlet to decrease it. Subsequently, to neutralize the increased adrenaline, it causes the victim to suffer hopelessness and some times it causes them to feel that something bad is going to happen to them or their family members. Most of the times, the patient sufferers from increased fear and terror just because they’re afraid of having another panic attack, that is why panic attacks should be treated first and the most effective way is to look at the root cause.

Anxiety attack symptoms usually last from 10 minutes to an hour. The easiest way to tell if a person may be suffering from a panic disorder is to see if the panic attacks occur for more than a week in a row.

Before you look into the symptoms of anxiety attacks, you must first know it’s causes. You need to identify the triggers and this can only be done after a thorough checkup with a medical professional.

The real cause of anxiety attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder anxiety is still unknown. But, according to scientists and researchers, the attacks are primarily caused by physical illness, stressful situations, and the genetic makeup of the individual. Now that you know the possible causes of anxiety attacks, you can now increase your knowledge by uncovering the symptoms of anxiety panic attack.

Muscle tension and chest pain are two of the most common anxiety disorder symptoms. However, studies show that there are more than a hundred possible symptoms and it varies from one individual to another. Some anxiety disorder patients experience mild symptoms, but there are also those who suffer from severe symptoms. It all depends on the genetic makeup of the patient. So if you have a family history of the disorder, you need to be extra careful because you’re a likely candidate.

The symptoms of the attacks are usually divided into different categories so that medical professionals can give accurate diagnosis. The categories include body, chest, emotions or mood, fears, head, mind, mouth and stomach, skin, sleep, sight, and touch.

Body symptoms typically includes tension, stiffness, blanching, blushing, itchy or burning sensation, numbness, hyperactivity, general malaise, increased/decreased sexual drive, and shaking. Chest pains are common that is often mistaken for a heart attack because of increased heart palpitation. Mood swings are notable. Because of the fear for another attack, the patient can go insane or can lose control of his or her emotions. Some patients also tend to vomit, suffer from diarrhea, constipation, and dry mouth. Allergic reactions and skin rashes are quite common among patients as well as disturbed sleep. Blurred vision and eye sensitivity are not common symptoms of anxiety attacks although it also happens in rare cases.

There is no need to worry because by consulting a medical professional, you can receive the appropriate anxiety panic attack treatment. There are several treatments available like cognitive behavioral therapy, serotonin, and many other treatments. Keep in mind that you should not take any medication without the doctor’s advice because the disorder can get worse.

By knowing the symptoms of anxiety attacks, you will know the best time to visit your doctor.