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Mild Anxiety Attack Symptoms

For some people, high stress situations mean more than an increased heart rate. For those who suffer from anxiety attacks (also known as panic attacks), stressful situations can be extremely scary and tense if an anxiety attack occurs. A person may experience an anxiety attack but not recognize the symptoms.

  1. Significance

    • What happens to your body during a mild anxiety attack is shocking and, quite frankly, scary, but learning what triggers the attacks and how to calm yourself can be extremely helpful to managing them and provide great insight for further diagnosis if needed.

    Types

    • Stressful situations can create feelings that range from general anxiety to mild anxiety to severe anxiety. When you begin to experience these types of feelings, it is important to note how you would describe what you're feeling to your doctor. These observations are what differentiate mild anxiety attacks from severe.

    Time Frame

    • Individual anxiety attacks can last anywhere from 30 seconds to over an hour. How each person experiences them is different and varies in length. Periods of attacks can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on what stressor is bringing on the attacks and how the attacks are being managed.

    Features

    • Here are some symptoms that are common with mild anxiety: sudden high anxiety, heart palpitations (i.e., feeling like your heart skipped a beat), sweating, shaking, difficulty breathing or a feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea, dizziness or feeling faint, numbness or tingling, chills or hot flashes. These symptoms are not specific to anxiety attacks so it is important to take note of when and why they're happening. If three to four symptoms are experienced simultaneously, chances are that you could be suffering from a mild anxiety attack

    Effects

    • If anxiety attacks remain untreated for an extended period, it can be difficult to control them or calm yourself down. Mild anxiety attacks can become more severe. Long-term suffering can create a pattern of attacks, one of the key components of panic disorder. It is important to note the symptoms and frequency of anxiety attacks, and report them to a physician as soon as possible for a diagnosis.

    Prevention/Solution

    • If you believe you're experiencing an anxiety attack, try to remain calm. Breathe slowly and deeply. If necessary, sit down, put your head between your legs, and continue to breathe slowly and deeply. Remember that the attack will pass as long as you remain calm. If you are alone, try to contact someone to help you as soon as you feel calmer. If someone is with you, ask him to call your doctor.

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