Anxiety Symptoms - Panic Attacks
There are common anxiety symptoms that happen for everyone. But the symptoms of an anxiety attack feel very intense and frightening. Experiencing a panic attack for the first time, or seeing someone have a panic attack can be a scary experience.
The common symptoms of anxiety attacks are:
- fast heartbeat, palpitations, feeling that heart is racing
- breaking out in a sweat, sweaty hands and face
- hot flushes, the body & face suddenly feels very hot
- feeling of suffocation or unable to take a deep breath
- breathing too fast, this can lead to hyperventilation
- tingling and numbness around mouth, in hands and feet
- difficulty swallowing
- feeling of choking
- feeling faint and dizzy
- fear of death
- fear of insanity, feeling that they may be 'losing' their mind
- feeling of unreality, not really present, (depersonalisation)
- restlessness, cannot sit still, pacing, wringing of hands
- overwhelming need to leave the situation, may feel trapped
The anxiety symptoms when having a panic attack are usually accompanied by feelings of intense fear. The attacks come on suddenly, and usually pass in 5-20 minutes. Panic attacks can occur 'out of the blue' for no apparent reason. Other people have a history of anxiety before developing panic attacks. There are effective treatments for panic attacks. A psychologist can work with you to reduce the anxiety symptoms. Attending treatment can be very difficult for an anxious person and they may drop out before they have completed their anxiety treatment. There are many good self-help books for anxiety and panic attacks. There are also many effective, and professionally designed home study courses for anxiety attacks available.
