Hundreds of people suffer from anxiety attacks. This is very common and you are not alone. Many people don't realize they are actually having an anxiety attack until they know what the definition of one is. An anxiety attack is a strong sensation that creates fear in oneself, as the symptoms can seem like you are actually dying. If you are someone who suffers from these kinds of attacks, it is important to know as much as you can about them as to help control them.
Causes of Anxiety Attacks
The cause of an anxiety attack can vary from person to person. They may be caused by an upsetting event in someone's life or a fear of something they have experienced growing up. Stress is a big contributor to anxiety attacks, but the possibilities are truthfully endless. Medication is a known trigger of an anxiety attack, and being less than active is known to be a contributor as well. In reality, there is not a particular known reason for people who experience these attacks, they are in short a body's way of dealing with an overwhelming feeling in one way or another.
Some Symptoms of an Anxiety Attack
One of the main symptoms of an anxiety attack is extreme fear. Now, fear may be acknowledged as a symptom of anxiety, but in reality it is just the end result of the real symptoms. Before fear sets in, you are likely to experience one or more symptoms of anxiety which lead you to the fear. Chest pain due to a racing heart, shortness of breath, and dizziness are all symptoms you may experience before the fear sets in. In the end, any uncomfortable sensation that is realized which makes you become fearful for your life is considered a symptom of anxiety, and therefore should be treated as such until you can confirm your suspicions.
So, is it an Anxiety Attack?
Because so many symptoms that are realized during an anxiety attack are similar if not exactly like those of some other kind of condition, it is almost impossible to determine if what you have been feeling is due to an anxiety attack, or another condition. This is why it's important to see a doctor and explain your symptoms, so that your physician can run the necessary tests in determining whether you have an underlying medical condition that needs to be dealt with or whether it is more than likely anxiety you are dealing with at which point you can work with your doctor in finding ways to control it.
Once your doctor has determined if it is an anxiety attack that you are having, you can now discuss with him many different options for a particular treatment that will work with you.
If anxiety attack symptoms are always showing up and negatively affecting your lifestyle, you have to take immediate action to cure your anxiety. So you're afraid of conducting that important presentation, you're worried about your child going out with his friends, or you feel uneasy and anxious for some reason you cannot identify at the moment. How do you know if it's just normal, or something more serious like anxiety attack symptoms?
Anxiety Attack Symptoms
The most common anxiety attack symptom is extreme fear. This fear, which is usually irrational, may be accompanied by any one or more of the following:
?Excessive sweating and/or tremors. ?Hot or cold flashes ?Heart palpitations and faster heartbeats ?Stomach problems ? feeling sick to your stomach, diarrhea and sometimes even vomiting ?Dizziness or nausea ?Difficulty in breathing ?Chest pain ?Pins and needles muscle pain ?Having a feeling of impending doom. You may feel that something bad is going to happen to you or to your loved ones.
An anxiety attack usually lasts 30 minutes or less. It can be a one-time event or a repetitive one. If anxiety attack symptoms are frequent and regular, you may be already suffering from an anxiety disorder. Sometimes, anxiety attacks are triggered by the fear of having another anxiety attack.
Anxiety Disorder
This disorder is characterized by chronic worrying and repeated episodes of anxiety or panic attacks.
Aside from the symptoms associated with anxiety attacks, those with anxiety disorder generally experience difficulty concentrating, change in appetite, frequent need to use the bathroom, insomnia, restlessness, lethargy, irritability, loss of interest in life, muscle tension, fatigue and others.
The most common type of anxiety disorder is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This is usually associated with a false or irrational fear that something bad will happen in the future. This could mean being so preoccupied about the cause of your anxiety so much that you cannot concentrate on other things like work. Sometimes there is no exact cause for the anxiety, though feelings of dread overwhelm the person on a daily or regular basis.
Anxiety Treatments and Medication
Mild anxiety can usually be treated by a counselor. The counselor can give breathing and relaxation exercises to deal with anxiety attacks when they occur. It also helps to do regular meditation on your own.
Some herbs like chamomile, which has a calming effect, can also help. Testimonial evidence shows that valerian and passion flower, when combined, effectively reduce anxiety. Other herbs that can be used for treatment are kava hops, skullcap, motherwort, pennyroyal, St. John's wort, and linden.
For severe cases, relaxation exercises and herbal remedies may only be supplemental to anxiety medications. Recommended medication especially for GAD is alprazolam, which is most effective for anxiety disorders with biological basis. The right dose of alprazolam, though, differs from patient to patient. Finding the best dose for you may take time, but consulting a good doctor may make it easier.
Knowing anxiety attack symptoms and warning signs may not only help you, but also others who are unknowingly suffering from them. With the right treatment, anyone suffering from anxiety attacks can gradually live a relaxed, worry-free life.
Both Paul Schmitt & Michael Lee are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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