02 Mar, 2009
What Are The Physical Symptoms Of Anxiety ?
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The physical symptoms of an anxiety attack are immediately recognizable to anyone who has experienced this in the past. Among other symptoms, the person may experience difficulty breathing, sweating, chest pain, numbness in the extremities, and uncontrollable shaking. Any combination of these symptoms, or even experiencing other unusual symptoms, can accompany an anxiety attack.
A person who is in the midst of a panic attack may think that he is experiencing a serious medical emergency such as a heart attack, may end up calling an ambulance and/or go to the emergency room. Although this is not usually a necessity, sometimes it is helpful to have medical assistance to help alleviate the attack. But if you suffer frequent bouts of anxiety, you may need to find other methods to deal with any physical symptoms of an anxiety attack.
Researchers believe that the full-blown physical symptoms of an anxiety attack are linked to the survival ‘fight or flight’ response that is an instinctive survival reaction in most creatures, including humans. In humans, when the brain perceives a dangerous situation, it releases stress hormones, primarily cortisol and adrenaline. Physical manifestations include an energy rush, increased sensitivity to surroundings and marked aggressiveness. These changes allow the body to react quickly to a situation and repair itself quicker if it is injured in some way. However during an anxiety attack, these manifestations occur for no apparent reason and the body often absorb or defuse this change in it’s homeostasis. Hence the physical symptoms of an anxiety attack, as described before.
Recent research suggests that recurring panic attacks are related to an increased incidence of future stroke or heart attack. Those who experience a single instance of the physical symptoms of an anxiety attack without a prior record of anxiety disorder are not necessarily prone to cardiovascular issues or any long-term issues. But further study is needed to determine if repeated panic attacks actually cause heart problems or are only related to them in some way.
Some physicians believe that heart problems can result from the use of medications that are prescribed to treat anxiety disorder. In any event, a panic attack is a sign that something is wrong, and the root of the problem must be found and corrected, instead of simply alleviating the physical symptoms of an anxiety attack.
Anxiety attacks can be difficult to deal with. Although any physical symptoms of an anxiety attack may be treated from a medical standpoint, people still need to address the underlying cause of the anxiety attack. There are various therapies available to help people discover and deal with the stress that is causing the attacks. One effective therapy that can help a person control their reactions to stress through sheer willpower is cognitive behavioral therapy.
Deep breathing, advanced relaxation techniques, aromatherapy, acupuncture, or massage therapy can help people address the physical symptoms of an anxiety attack. Regardless of what others may tell you, it is not easy to relieve an anxiety attack by simply talking yourself out of it. Anxiety should be treated as the medical condition that it is. With proper treatment, people can alleviate the effects of anxiety.