Recognise The Symptoms Of Anxiety Attacks

The symptoms of anxiety attacks can be both emotional and physical and can spring on in a flash even to someone who isn’t even aware that they particularly anxious. And the symptoms of anxiety attacks can often be so severe and unexpected that people actually think they're having a heart attack or dying.

Anxiety certainly isn’t a pleasant emotion, most people have experienced and know what anxiety is like… remember the pounding heart before an important interview? The butterflies we experienced on our first date? Well that’s fine, anxiety is a normal feeling when we are scared or under pressure, its when that anxiety prevents you from living the life you want because you are constantly worrying and suffering from anxiety attacks that it becomes a problem.

Anxiety attacks are associated with symptoms such as those in the list below, these are the more common symptoms of anxiety attacks but there many more possible symptoms.

• A sudden feeling of overwhelming panic
• Feeling of losing control or going crazy
• Heart palpitations
• chest pain
• Sweating
• Feeling like you’re going to pass out
• Dizziness
• Trouble breathing or choking sensation
• Hyperventilation/Brethlessness
• Hot flushes or chills
• Trembling or shaking
• Nausea or stomach cramps
• Feeling detached or unreal

It is important to realise that none of these symptoms of anxiety attacks are harmful in their own way, they happen as a result of the body releasing adrenaline, but the symptoms can be so intense that they feel very frightening.

I really don’t think you can give a time for the duration of an anxiety attack. If you think about it. every person is different and the time it takes for each person to overcome their anxiety or panic attack will vary.

The panic attack may last for anything from a few seconds to a few hours, though generally, in my experience, they last for about 10 minutes, although it seems a lot longer to the person having the attack. After this time the anxiety levels begin to drop to a tolerable level.

Well, I know that it is much easier to say than do but, if you think that you are suffering the symtoms of anxiety attacks:

• Try to keep calm
• Concentrate on your breathing and breathe slowly and deeply
• If you have one to hand breathe into a paper bag
  

The important thing to realise is that you aren't alone, at least 1 in 10 suffer from the occaisional anxiety attack and fortunately you can get treatment with therapy and medications.

There are also lots of 'self help' therapies you can try, and, if you have only had an occisional panic attack sometimes an explanation and some reassurance will help, but, if the attacks are more regular the first thing you should do is to visit your doctor because treatment will often help.