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Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Anxiety or panic attacks are sudden periods of intense anxiety, fear and discomfort. It may appear as though they can occur for no real reason, the truth is that they are the body’s inherent response to something that it perceives to be harmful or dangerous.

The attacks usually last about ten minutes, but can be as short as one minute. However, there are some severe cases where they occur in cycles. These cycles may last for extended periods. They can also make a person feel a strong sense of nervous anticipation between each occurrence.

The common physical indications of anxiety or panic attacks are: shortness of breath, experiencing heart palpitations, breaking out in a sweat and having some type of agitated feeling. Tingling and numbness in the extremities, dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches and nausea are also commonly experienced. These may appear to be random, but they’re actually the result of the body’s preparations for protection.

The anxiety attack is brought on by a sudden onset of fear. In response, the body releases adrenaline followed by increases in the heart and breathing rate and production of sweat (to regulate body temperature). These actions prepare the body for the physical activities of fighting or escaping. Because the anticipated strenuous activity rarely follows the panic attack, these reactions result in physical discomfort.

The heart palpitations are brought on by the increased heart rate. When that happens, a person can hyperventilate due to rapid breathing, causing a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide levels in the bodies blood and lungs. Once the carbon dioxide levels go down in the blood; numbness, tingling, dizziness and lightheadedness will occur. The adrenaline causes a narrowing of the blood vessels which results in less blood flow to the head. After understanding the causes and symptoms of anxiety attacks, you should learn to breathe properly if an attack occurs, which will help you to take steps in controlling them; you owe it to yourself to learn ways to do this and get to the root of the problem!

Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Anxiety or panic attacks are sudden periods of intense anxiety, fear and discomfort. While these attacks might seem to happen for no reason, they’re actually the body’s response to what it perceives to determine the need for fight or flight.

Usually panic attacks can last anywhere from one - ten minutes at a time. However, there are some severe cases where they occur in cycles. Anxiety attacks cycles can last for various extended amounts of time. They can also make a person feel a strong sense of nervous anticipation between each occurrence.

Physical symptoms of anxiety attacks generally include shortness of breath, heart palpitations and sweating. Tingling and numbness in the extremities, dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches and nausea are also commonly experienced. This is the bodies way of fighting back and protecting itself from what it perceives to be a threat to it.

Sudden feelings of fear can often be one of the key triggers for anxiety attacks. When this happens, the body will work to regulate it’s temperature by increasing the heart rate through increased adrenaline and this is what causes the increase in breathing rate. These actions prepare the body for the physical activities of fighting or escaping. People often do not need to fight or escape a situation once a panic attack occurs and therefore the body’s reaction causes the discomforts of physical pain.

The increased heart rate is felt as heart palpitations. Rapid breathing (hyperventilation) results in a drop in carbon dioxide levels in the lungs and blood. This leads to the tingling, numbness, dizziness and lightheadedness. The rapid heart rate, raises the adrenaline and that effects the blood vessels by causing them to narrow, which in turn effects the amount of blood that is able to get up to the brain. Your main concern should be learning to breathe properly when an anxiety attack occurs and take steps to control your panic attacks, you owe it to yourself to investigate further and get to the root of the problem, it’s worth it!