Many people who have had to deal with an anxiety attack, will quickly be able to recognize the physical symptoms associated with this condition. The first sign that you are having attack will be when you start to breath much more heavily, plus you begin to sweat. Other physical symptoms of an attack, include chest pains, numbness to the bodies extremities and they shake uncontrollably. When a person is having an attack they may find that they only suffer from one or two of the physical symptoms of an anxiety attack, whilst others will suffer from all of those that we have mentioned.
When someone is suffering an anxiety attack for the first time they will often reach for the phone to call for an ambulance as they feel that they may be having a heart attack. But even when they reach hospital and have been told what the problem is they often find that being in a hospital environment helps them to cope and deal with the attack much more easily. Yet for those who suffer from chronic anxiety they will have been shown ways in which they can actually alleviate the symptoms associated with this disorder themselves.
It is believed that a full anxiety attack is related to the ‘fight or flight’ survival response found in all members of the animal kingdom, including humans. This response is thought to have been responsible for the continued survival of the human race, as it includes a rush of adrenaline, ultra sensitivity to surroundings, and a general aggressiveness. An anxiety attack occurs when this instinctual response is triggered without any obvious cause.
In studies carried out it has been shown that people who suffer from repeated attacks increase their chances of suffering either a heart attack or stroke in the future. But those who only suffer one attack and there is no history of any kind of anxiety disorder in their family are unlikely to suffer any heart problems or have to deal with any lasting effects.
It is not clear, however if the increased risk posed to regular sufferers is caused by the attacks or is merely related to them. Some doctors even argue that the medications prescribed for anxiety disorder put people at risk of cardiovascular events. Either way, a panic attack is a clear sign that something is not well, and the problem must be dealt with, not the symptoms.
Dealing with any kind of anxiety of panic attack is not always that easy especially if they are severe. Although your doctor may be able to treat the symptoms effectively, often it needs other ways to help a person find and then deal with the underlying causes of an attack. Today, there are various different types of therapy available which are proving effective at helping to treat the actual causes. Of all the different types one that seems to be extremely effective is cognitive behavorial therapy which helps a person to recognize what is triggering the attack and then work on ways to change the way in which they react to it and so prevent an attack from happening.
Some people also practice deep breathing exercises or advanced relaxation techniques in conjunction with aroma therapy, acupuncture or regular massage therapy. No matter what anyone else thinks, treating the physical symptoms of an anxiety attack is not a simple matter of ‘lightening up’, or just ‘thinking positively’.
It is crucial that you remember that anxiety is a real medical condition and therefore should be treated in much the same way of any other kind. Certainly, if careful attention is taken to deal with this condition then anyone should find that they can cope and deal with the crippling effects it can place on their lives.