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- An anxiety attack usually involves a fear of some specific occurrence or problem that could happen. Symptoms include worry, restlessness, and possibly physical symptoms, such as changes in heart rate. Anxiety is different from a panic attack, but it can occur as part of an anxiety or panic disorder.
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Mental health conditions. Anxiety and panic attacks. Anxiety is a feeling of stress, panic or fear that can affect your everyday life physically and psychologically. Get urgent help now for mental health. Symptoms of general anxiety disorder. Read about anxiety, fear and panic. Types of anxiety.
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- Treatment for Anxiety Attacks
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- A Word From Verywell
An anxiety attack is a sudden and intense episode of fear and anxiety. Anxiety attacks can occur unexpectedly for no apparent reason, but they can also be linked to specific triggers.
“Anxiety attack” is not a formal, clinical term. Many often use the term colloquially to describe all sorts of anxious responses.
Symptoms of an anxiety attack can vary. Some people may only experience a few mild symptoms of anxiety, while others may experience a wider variety of more intense symptoms. These symptoms include:
•Apprehension
•Diarrhea
•Difficulty sleeping
•Dry mouth
•Irritability
If you are experiencing anxiety symptoms, your first step may be to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may conduct lab tests to rule out any medical conditions that might be causing or contributing to your symptoms. If there is no medical cause, your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional for further evaluation.
Because an anxiety attack is not a formal diagnosis, you may be diagnosed with a type of anxiety disorder such as panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, depending on your symptoms. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms to determine a diagnosis based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) criteria.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety attacks may be the result of certain anxiety disorders. Each of these has a specific set of symptoms. These conditions can also have different causes or can be triggered by certain situations. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): This condition is marked by unrealistic and excessive worry without a specific cause. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): This condition involves intrusive obsessions and compulsions that are difficult to control and lead to significant distress. Panic disorder: This condition is marked by sudden panic attacks that can hit with no warning. Social anxiety disorder (SAD): This condition involves excessive self-consciousness and fear of social situations. Specific phobias: This type of phobia is marked by an intense and excessive fear of a specific object or situation.
Perceived Threats
Anxiety can be a response to an imprecise or unknown threat. For example, imagine you're walking alone down a dark street. You may feel a little uneasy, and perhaps you have a few butterflies in your stomach. This type of "anxiety attack" is related to the possibility that there might be a danger that poses you harm. This anxiety is not the result of a known or specific threat. Instead, it comes from your mind's vision of the possible dangers that may result in the situation. The symptoms you are experiencing are typical and even beneficial. Anticipating threats allows your body to prepare to respond to a situation quickly—a phenomenon known as the fight-or-flight response.
Specific Situations
Sometimes, what people call "anxiety attacks" are actually normal reactions to life experiences that make us anxious. These experiences can include things such as: Becoming a parent Changing jobs Coping with illness Financial worries Death of a loved one Getting divorced Getting married Parenting and family pressures Public speaking Relationship conflict Taking a school exam Work-related stress Such situations can cause feelings that can range from normal anxiety (which may often be beneficial) to an anxiety attack. This anxiety might be temporary, but it can still be upsetting and can interfere with your ability to perform in certain situations (such as giving a speech). If situational anxiety attacks make it difficult to cope, seeking treatment can be helpful Other factors contributing to anxiety attack symptoms include genetics, chronic stress, drug and alcohol use, brain changes, certain medications, and traumatic events. Excessive caffeine consumption can also trigger an anxiety attack. The Benefits of Anxiety
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy focuses on changing anxious thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. There are many different types of psychotherapy, but cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are two of the most frequently used. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an approach that involves identifying the automatic negative thought patterns that are associated with feelings of anxiety. Once these have been identified, people then learn to actively challenge such thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones. Exposure therapy is an approach that can be effective when treating certain types of anxiety, particularly specific phobias. People are gradually exposed to a feared object or situation while practicing relaxation techniques. Eventually, the source of their fear becomes less frightening.
Medications
Some medications can be useful for treating symptoms of anxiety. These include: Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Lexapro (escitalopram) and Zoloft (sertraline) Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Effexor XR (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine)
If you are experiencing anxiety attacks, various coping strategies and lifestyle modifications may also help. These include:
•Adequate sleep: Sleep can have a major impact on your mental well-being, and lack of sleep can sometimes play a role in worsening feelings of anxiety.
•Deep breathing: Shallow breathing during an anxiety attack can increase heart rate and make it more difficult to remain calm. Practice deep breathing techniques to help keep your breathing and heart rate under control when you are coping with feelings of stress and anxiety.
•Meditation: Meditation can be a great way to practice focusing on your breathing and staying centered in the moment. Meditative techniques have also been shown to have some usefulness for reducing symptoms of anxiety. Start by practicing for 10 minutes a day. If you need help, consider trying a guided audio meditation or a mobile meditation app.
•Regular exercise: Exercise has long been known to have both physical and mental health benefits. Research has also found that exercise can be an effective option for reducing symptoms of anxiety.
•Support: Social support can play a critical role in mental health and well-being. Anxiety can often be an isolating experience, so seeking the support of friends and family can be helpful. Another idea is to join an anxiety support group.
A person may experience a panic attack once or even a few times during their lives and may never develop an anxiety disorder. Since the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks may mimic many other medical and psychological disorders, however, it is important to review your symptoms with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Anxiety attacks can be frightening, but it is important to remember that they are often normal reactions to difficult situations. If your symptoms of anxiety are frequent or are making it difficult to function normally, talk to your doctor. Effective treatments are available and there are also many self-help strategies that you might find helpful.
How to Cope With Feelings of Anxiety
6 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
1.American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
Aug 17, 2024 · Anxiety attacks are episodes of extreme alarm that can cause symptoms of shortness of breath, a racing heart, and feelings of panic. An anxiety attack is not a diagnosis in and of itself, though experiencing these attacks can be part of another mental health diagnosis, including anxiety disorder.
- Sarah Bence
your fears or worries are out of proportion to the situation. you avoid situations that might cause you to feel anxious. your worries feel very distressing or are hard to control. you regularly experience symptoms of anxiety, which could include panic attacks.
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where you regularly have sudden attacks of panic or fear. Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety and panic at certain times. It's a natural response to stressful or dangerous situations.
If you experience sudden, intense anxiety and fear, it might be the symptoms of a panic attack. Other symptoms may include: a racing heartbeat. feeling faint, dizzy or lightheaded. feeling that you're losing control. sweating, trembling or shaking. shortness of breath or breathing very quickly.
May 4, 2018 · A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you're losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.
