Anxiety is a normal response to stress or danger. At times it is helpful because it can help prepare the body for action, and it can improve performance in a range of situations. Anxiety becomes a problem when it is experienced intensely and it persistently interferes with a person’s daily life.
Anxiety symptoms are extremely common – everybody experiences them from time to time. There are several conditions where anxiety is one of the main symptoms. Phobias, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder can all cause severe anxiety.
Panic attacks
A panic attack is when your body experiences a rush of intense psychological (mental) and physical symptoms. You may feel an overwhelming sense of fear, apprehension and anxiety. As well as these feelings, you may also experience physical symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, trembling and a sensation that your heart is beating irregularly (palpitations).
A panic attack can be very frightening and intense, but it is not dangerous. It will not cause you any physical harm. At least one person in 10 experiences occasional panic attacks, which are usually triggered by a stressful event or situation. However, people with panic disorder have recurring and regular attacks, often for no apparent reason.
The number of panic attacks that you have will depend on the severity of your condition. Some people may have one or two attacks each month, while others may have several attacks a week.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a panic attack can be very frightening and distressing. Symptoms tend to occur very suddenly, without any warning, and often for no apparent reason.
As well as overwhelming feelings of anxiety, a panic attack can also cause the following symptoms:
- sensation that your heart is beating irregularly (palpitations),
- sweating,
- trembling,
- hot flushes,
- chills,
- shortness of breath,
- choking sensation,
- chest pain,
- nausea,
- dizziness,
- feeling faint,
- numbness, or pins and needles,
- dry mouth,
- a need to go to the toilet,
- ringing in your ears,
- a feeling of dread, or a fear of dying.
The symptoms of a panic attack can be so intense that it can make you feel like you are having a heart attack. The fear of having a heart attack can then add to your sense of panic.
However, it is important to be aware that symptoms such as a racing heart beat, or shortness of breath, will not actually lead to you having a heart attack.
Although frightening, a panic attack will not cause you any physical harm. People who have had panic disorder for some time will usually learn to recognise this ‘heart attack sensation’, and will be more aware of how to control their symptoms.
The symptoms of a panic attack normally peak within 10 minutes. Most attacks will last for five to 30 minutes. Because panic attacks can be very unpredictable, if you have panic disorder, you may feel stressed and worried about when your next attack will be.
The simple rule – seek help quickly.
What to do if you feel anxious
There is no single treatment that is best for everyone, and which treatment is recommended will depend on your general health and the severity of your condition, as well as your personal preferences.
The sooner you seek help or see your doctor, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery.
Finally, it’s not just the person with experiencing these issues that are affected. The people close to them are too. If you are caring for, or living with someone with depression, your relationship with them and family life in general can become strained. You may feel at a loss as to what to do.
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