Anxiety attacks are overwhelming and frightening. Learn what an anxiety attack feels like and what to do in the event that one occurs.
Although an anxiety attack is not a clinically diagnosed condition, the term is often used to describe an episode of overwhelming anxiety that can be triggered by fear or apparent threat. The term “anxiety attack” is often confused with the term “panic attack,” which is a sudden episode of extreme fear that can result in physical reactions. They are uncontrollable and disabling. The feeling can be so intense that the person experiencing it mayfeel likethey can’t breathe or are going to die.
What some people may label as an anxiety attack may be the manifestation of ananxiety disorderor a reaction to a current or impending circumstance that causes anxiety. Knowing how to identify andmanage anxietycan help treat the condition.
Symptoms of Anxiety Attacks
It is normal to feel anxious in response to certain situations or experiences. Our bodies have a natural fight-or-flight response when faced with danger or stress. Anxiety attacks go beyond feeling butterflies in your stomach when you’re nervous and extend to an overwhelming feeling of helplessness.
Thesigns and symptoms of an anxiety attackcan vary from person to person but are generally experienced as both physical and psychological indicators. Many times the symptoms occur in response to a trigger that the person perceives as a threat or possible danger. Other times, the symptoms can occur spontaneously.
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A person experiencing an anxiety attack could have any number of the followingsigns and symptoms:
Physical Symptoms
- Rapid heart rate or pounding heart
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Choking sensation
- Shaking or trembling
- Dizziness
- Hot flashes or chills
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Muscle tension, pain or aches
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
- Sleep disturbances
Psychological Symptoms
- Surge of overpowering panic
- Feeling like you’re spiraling out of control
- Irritable
- Feeling easily frightened or on edge
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling like your mind has gone blank
- Overwhelming fear
- Worry and distress
- Feeling like you need to escape
How to Tell if Someone Is Having an Anxiety Attack
Anxiety attacks are usually overpowering and debilitating. The attack will often occur following an episode of stress or exposure to fear. The initial response will develop into an all-out panic.
The symptoms of an anxiety attack are also symptoms associated with other serious medical conditions, such as a heart attack, which may lead the person to believe something other than an anxiety attack is occurring. There are key differences between heart attacks and anxiety attacks, which can helpdistinguish between the two. However, only a medical test can truly diagnosis a heart attack, so it is a good idea to speak with a doctor if you are at risk of having a heart attack.
Anxiety attacks and panic attacks arevery similarand often have the same symptoms. If the symptoms of an anxiety attack occur out of the blue, without a specific trigger, it may be a panic attack. If this occurs more than once, the person may have an underlyingpanic disorderthat needs to be addressed.
How to Deal With an Anxiety Attack
In the immediate moments when an attack is occurring, there are several steps a person can take to try tocalm themselves down. These include:
- Recognize an attack is occurringand trying to remember that the symptoms will pass
- Breathe deeplyto stop or calm hyperventilation and subsequently slow your heart rate
- Relax musclesto release some of the feelings of tension from your body and help you regain control
The person experiencing the attack may feel like they are going to die and request medical assistance. Severe anxiety attacks often result in trips to the emergency room, where the person experiencing the attack can get the help they need.
In many cases, anxiety attacks occur in response to certain situations or perceived threats. Avoiding these triggers can help reduce the chance of having an attack, but may not be feasible if the trigger is present in your everyday life. If perceived anxiety attacks are brought on by certain triggers, there may be an underlyinganxiety disorderthat needs to be addressed.Therapy or medicationscan be very helpful in dealing with an anxiety disorder.
There are things that can be done to avoid another anxiety attack. Some of them include:
- Talking to friends or joining a support group
- Learning tomanage stressand prolonged worrying
- Practicingmeditationor relaxation techniques
- Getting enough sleep
- Exercising frequently
- Avoiding or reducing the consumption ofalcohol,caffeine, orsmoking cigarettes, all of which have been associated with worsening anxiety
If you are experiencing anxiety attacks or panic attacks that are frequent and debilitating, and you have turned to substances to cope, The Recovery Village can help. To learn more about treatment for anxiety and addiction, call The Recovery Village to speak with a representative.
