Physical Symptoms Of An Anxiety Attack
The physical symptoms of an anxiety attack are not something that you are unlikely to forget once you experience them. Labored breathing, perspiration, chest pain, numbness of fingers and toes and uncontrolled shaking are among the symptoms that may occur. During an anxiety attack, a victim may experience one, several or even all of these symptoms.
Undergoing physical symptoms of an anxiety attack often feel like a heart attack or complete nervous breakdown. Often, those suffering from an attack call emergency services and are rushed to a hospital because they are convinced they are in the middle of a serious medical emergency. While not strictly necessary, there are advantages to having nurses and doctors available during the course of the attack. Frequent victims of anxiety need their own coping mechanisms to help them survive a scary attack.
A full anxiety attack is linked with the fight or flight reaction to some external experience. The fight or flight response is seen in most animals, including humans. In humans it is caused by the release of hormones, primarily adrenaline and cortisol. This survival response creates an energy rush, sensitivity to the immediate surrounds, and increased aggressiveness, which helps the individual to escape a dangerous situation or defend itself. In the case of anxiety attacks, the body bears the brunt of the rush of stress hormones without any immediate external cause responsible, hence the physical symptoms of an anxiety attack ensue.
Studies have shown that a person has a greater chance of suffering a future heart attack or stroke if they suffer repeated physical symptoms of an anxiety attack. Individuals who experience only a single anxiety or panic attack are not any more or less likely to suffer future heart attacks or stroke. It not clear of the increased risk posed by regular panic attacks is a result of the attacks or just related to them.
Doctors speculate that medications commonly prescribed for anxiety disorder can put the patient at risk of a cardiovascular event. No matter what, physical symptoms of anxiety attacks are an indication that something is not right, and the underlying problem needs to get taken care of.
Anxiety attacks can be difficult to deal with. Although any physical symptoms of an anxiety attack may be treated from a medical standpoint, people still need to address the underlying cause of the anxiety attack. There are various therapies available to help people discover and deal with the stress that is causing the attacks. One effective therapy that can help a person control their reactions to stress through sheer willpower is cognitive behavioral therapy.
The techniques that are used to combat physical symptoms of anxiety attacks include breathing exercises and relaxation techniques that are sometimes combined with aromatherapy, acupuncture or massage therapy. Despite what some may think, treatment of physical symptoms of anxiety attacks is not as trivial as mind over matter. Anxiety is a genuine medical condition with far-reaching and sometimes devastating consequences and requires specialized treatment. With proper therapy, many people can overcome the effects of this disorder.