Having an anxiety attack is a horrible feeling, it can quite literally leave you feeling terrified of what just happened to you. But you need to know that many people suffer from these and they are in fact a completely natural response to stimulus. Learning to recognize anxiety attack symptoms can help you to better understand this phenomenon.
Essentially an anxiety attack is a short interlude of intense fear. It is generally temporary in nature and leaves the sufferer shaken and not knowing what on earth it was that provoked this feeling of fear. They have also been called panic attacks and the reason for this is pretty clear. This can be a once off, or in some cases an on-going occurrence.
Medical professionals identify this illness by the symptoms and visible effects. Rather than it being described as an illness it is classified as a behavioral disorder. It can happen to anyone, even if they are in perfect health and it is good to know that panic attacks to not lead to any kind of life threatening situation.
What actually happens in this kind of attack, is the body's natural fight or flight response kicks in. This is something that is programmed into the body and is an evolutionary response. The problem with experiencing recurring bouts of panic attacks is that they can lead to depression, and distress and detract from the business of leading an ordinary normal life.
Symptoms include various panic responses such as palpitations or increase in heartbeat, feeling numb, perhaps having a lump in the throat, sweating, choking or difficulty in breathing, hyperventilation, dizziness, nausea, stomach discomfort and feeling disassociated. It does not stop here though; sufferers may also experience chills, blushing, hot flushes, loss of pallor and blotched skin.
These are not symptoms of any specific illness however and they are temporary. They generally abate when the person has fled the situation or place where the attack takes place. In fact the best way to identify that you are having a panic attack is feeling that urge to leave the place where it occurred. It is that fight or flight response kicking in.
Anxiety attacks have been linked to an increase of acetylcholinesterase being released into the blood stream. This is an enzyme which is specific to the adrenal glands and one of the group of adreno-cortisols. The untimely release of this enzyme has the affect of initiating a panic attack, when in fact it is not necessary. Research has show that this most often occurs during periods of stress.
People who suffer from high stress levels are more likely to suffer anxiety attacks, as are people who suffer from phobias. In fact people who suffer from phobias are more likely to experience panic attacks than anyone else. For instance if they are exposed to the trigger for their phobia, they will more than likely suffer from a panic attack. Panic attacks are painful and scary, but as soon as the trigger for the response has been removed, they abate leaving no visible symptoms.
There is also some indication that using certain drugs, such as Ritalin many be able to cause anxiety attacks. However treatment options are available that can help to relieve the symptoms of an attack. But as it is a stress related behavioral disorder it is far better to seek counseling than just take drugs for treatment of the actual anxiety attack.
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