Anxiety Attack Warning Signs

Anxiety is our body's natural response when we feel threatened or perceive danger. Anxious feelings are often provoked by a blind date, a job interview or a big examination. We are all familiar with butterflies in the stomach, sweaty hands or a pounding heart.
But some individuals experience anxiety symptoms without any type of a stressful trigger. Sometimes, constant worrying can keep your anxiety levels higher than normal. Even if there isn't real danger present, your mind continues to race with 'what if' questions and worse case scenarios. An anxiety attack is the most extreme reaction one can have to anxiety. An anxiety attack can create some very scary sensations, feelings and thoughts. These intense episodes of panic will usually reach their peak in about 10 minutes. Here are some common warning signs that you are having an anxiety attack. If you recognize these signs, seek help. There are many effective treatments available.

Breathing

• One of the first signs of an anxiety attack is feeling shortness of breath. This can be a very scary sensation because breathing problems can make it impossible to think straight. You may be terrified that you are about to die from a lack of oxygen. It can feel as if you are being smothered. Some people describe it as giant mass of brick lying on their chest. If you breathe faster than is necessary, hyperventilation can occur. This rapid and deep breathing, also known as over breathing, can make you feel breathless. It worsens the other anxiety symptoms because you may feel as if you have lost control of your breathing.

Symptoms Linked to Hyperventilation

• If hyperventilation continues for a prolonged period of time, your entire body is affected. Your legs and arms can feel numb or tingly. You may also feel very shaky and start to tremble. You may become sweaty or feel chills throughout your body. Your vision may become blurry or you may lose your peripheral sight during an anxiety attack. Some patients feel dizzy or lightheaded. They may feel as if they are seconds away from passing out. You may vomit or become nauseous. Sometimes, these scary sensations can occur without hyperventilation.

Inability to Swallow

• As you try to breathe normally, you may feel as if you are choking. Each time that you try to swallow, you throat may feel thicker. The sensation of a lump in your throat can add to your anxiety. You may have the urge to swallow until your mouth becomes dry. You may feel as if you are choking on your saliva. After this choking sensation begins, you may gasp for breath. Many people panic because they feel that their throat is closing and they are not going to be able to breathe. Occasionally, an anxiety attack can occur while you are eating. Thoughts of choking on your food can fill your mind.

Rapid Heartbeat

• Your heart is affected during an anxiety attack. You may notice a rapid heart beat or palpitations. A palpitation is a sensation that makes you aware of your own heartbeat. It may feel as if your heart is skipping a beat or stopping in between beats. These abnormal and unpleasant sensations can be felt in the throat, chest or neck. These palpitations are rarely associated with cardiac disease. Your heart may pound and you might worry that it could suddenly stop. Sometimes it may beat so hard you fear that it will explode. In addition, you may have chest tightness or pain in your chest.
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Common Fears

• There are many common fears that pass through your mind during an anxiety attack. You might fear that you are losing your mind or that you will suddenly go crazy at any minute. You may be scared that you might embarrass yourself or loved ones in a public spectacle. You may feel as if you have a life threatening medical disorder that has not been diagnosed. You may feel detached from your environment as if you are in a surreal dream. You may feel that you are detached from yourself and that you are going to lose control of your actions. Often you live your life like a hostage because you are afraid of the next anxiety attack. You may become paranoid that another anxiety attack is going to happen. All of these 'what if' thoughts drive the anxiety symptoms to escalate. Most of all, you fear that the anxiety attack symptoms are signs that you are about to die.