Symptoms of Anxiety Attack and When to Seek Professional Help
Anxiety attacks are extremely distressing and scary. They are also commonly referred to as panic attacks. It is essential to note the symptoms of an anxiety attack and to recognize the need for help to get rid of them. In this blog post, we will identify the signs and symptoms of these attacks, their time duration, and when an expert should be consulted. This blog post will be helpful if you are suffering from anxiety or if you are helping an anxious person at the moment.
What is an Anxiety Attack?
It is characterized by a loss of composure that frequently has no apparent cause. Nevertheless, it may cause stress and sudden unease or fear. Almost all panic attacks last between ten and thirty minutes. However, the emotional aftershocks can be present longer. They provide a feeling of no control; at some times, the impression of death may even occur in the person’s mind.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety Attacks
Recognizing the signs of an anxiety attack is the first step in dealing with the condition. Here are the most common signs:
- Racing Heart or Palpitations
When having panic attacks, racing heart or heart changes might also be felt. Grown men usually say that their heart pounds in their chest, which is always very distressing. This is caused by the body responding to stress by engaging in fight-or-flight mode.
- Shortness of Breath
Breathing problems include feeling like one cannot breathe. For example, trying to catch something out of fear or after running a lot of steps are both signs of panic attacks. A person might feel as though they are choking or shrieking for air. Such feelings add to the panic, making the situation even more awful.
- Dizziness and Lightheadedness
Many people will note having dizziness or near blackout during an anxiety attack. When experiencing a sense of instability, being in the moment and moving from a feeling to the reality that one could faint sounds terrifying. This happens because your body is stressed, and your blood pressure and oxygen levels may rise and fall instantly.
- Numbness and Tingling
Sometimes, during anxiety, the sufferer may feel tingling or numbness in the peripheral areas. You may feel it in the hands and feet or even the face. This is usually caused by hyperventilation since faster respiration lowers the CO2 concentration in the blood. These sensations of tingling or numbness could also be nerve-wracking for the individual. However, they are typically temporary.
- Sweating
The skin begins to sweat easily. One may be surprised to find themselves sweating when it is not warm, such as when it is cool outside. That is what someone’s body does when they expect a threat. In this instance, it gets them ready for the fight-or-flight reaction.
- Chest Pain or Discomfort
For me, one of the most noticeable symptoms of a panic attack is chest pain. It is usually perceived as feeling tight and dragging inside the chest cavity. It is a symptom indicating an approaching heart attack. Nonetheless, the chest pain felt while having a panic attack is often due to muscle stress and excessive tension within the body.
- Nausea or Stomach Problems
Attacks experienced due to anxiety may render someone nauseous or have an upset stomach. The sensation of wanting to vomit or any discomfort in the stomach area results from changes in the blood supply to the systems during stress.
- Chills or Hot Flashes
Patients who suffer from anxiety disorders may also observe body chills or hot flashes. Most people notice a certain degree of hotness and then coldness owing to the attempt to activate the fight-or-flight response. Fluctuations of this kind are usually expected during stressful conditions.
- Feelings of Detachment and Unrealness
During an attack, some people may feel alienated from their environment and think everything around them is inaccurate. This state of self-alienation, or the sense that the climate is alien, is a mechanism the mind employs when faced with excessive pressure. It is like being in the audience and looking down on yourself.
- A Fear of Losing Control and Dying
The majority of people report experiencing intense fear during an anxiety attack. It is as though one feels surefire danger, or the person is losing control of one’s body or mind. Such feelings are nightmarish, but one must never forget that while panic attacks can be very distressing, they are not going to be fatal.
How to Know If You’re Having an Anxiety Attack
There is some terrifying and sudden feeling of an attack with little warning signs. This may occur in specific contexts where the patient feels threatened or anxious. However, they can come in without any cues. Recognizing and telling a panic attack apart from other conditions is vital in dealing with the case.
If you notice some of the symptoms described above, then most probably, you are suffering from a panic attack. The same applies to people who experience such symptoms persistently or on a recurrent basis. They may have an anxiety disorder.
When to Seek Professional Help For Anxiety Disorder
People experience panic attacks once every so often. However, if the anxiety attacks start becoming a part of your daily routine, then you should consult a physician. The following are signs that it would be beneficial to see a doctor or a therapist:
- Anxiety Attacks More Than Once a Week: If people go through these attacks one or more times every week, then it is essential to understand how this is a cause for concern. They should be carefully monitored for the most appropriate treatment options. They may need to regularly take medication or attend therapy to help them feel better.
- Inability to Manage Your Symptoms: If you cannot cope with the symptoms, it is best to seek professional help. Those receiving therapy may find it much easier to manage anxiety attacks. Since therapists are trained professionals, panic attacks can significantly impact an individual’s daily functioning.
- Start Affecting Your Daily Activities: The most troubling thing that comes out of an anxiety attack is that it impacts your social life. The distress caused by panic attacks affects one’s ability to engage in daily activities like working or studying at all. Mental health professionals should be consulted to help restore that balance if it becomes too difficult to accomplish these activities.
Treatment Options For Anxiety Attacks
There are some options when it comes to effective treatment for panic attacks. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is used to help people learn how to approach the provoking area from their perspective. Some healthcare providers may also prescribe medications, including benzodiazepines or SSRIs, to manage the symptoms. However, a healthcare professional should cover these.
It should be noted that most individuals may also include some mindfulness and relaxation techniques. For example, deep breathing and meditation can help reduce anxiety and even prevent attacks.
In addition to medication and therapy, changing daily habits can also effectively reduce anxiety levels. Exercises trigger the release of stress hormones and endorphins simultaneously, which allows anxiety attacks to be reduced. Moreover, a properly nutritious diet should also be adopted, as it helps reduce anxiety levels.
