Health

Anxiety Attack: Symptoms, Causes And Its Treatment

by Vandan-Khambhata
Jan 25, 2021 17:34

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What is an Anxiety attack?

An anxiety attack is a sudden and intense episode of fear and anxiety. These anxiety attacks can sometimes occur unexpectedly for no apparent reason, but they can also be linked to specific triggers.

“Anxiety attack” is not a formal, clinical term. Instead, it is a term often used colloquially by many people to describe all sorts of anxious responses. People may use it to describe a range of sensations, from worries about an upcoming event to intense feelings of fear that would meet the diagnostic criteria for a panic attack. In order to understand what someone means by “anxiety attack,” it is necessary to consider the context in which the symptoms occur.

* Symptoms

Symptoms of an anxiety attack can vary. Some people may only experience a few mild symptoms of anxiety, while others may experience a wider variety of more intense symptoms. These symptoms include:

Apprehension
Diarrhea
Difficulty sleeping
Dry mouth
Irritability
Lightheadedness
Headache
Muscle tension
Nausea
Rapid heart rate
Shaking
Sweating
Tightness in the chest and throat
Trouble concentrating
Worry

Anxiety attack Vs Panic Attack: What are the differences?

Have you ever experienced an intense feeling of terror, fear, or apprehension for no apparent reason? If so, you may have experienced a panic attack. If you experience recurrent panic attacks, you may have a condition known as panic disorder. Panic attacks can also be a sign of other underlying medical or mental health conditions, including sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or depression.

Panic attacks can be confusing and scary for the person experiencing them, in that they are usually sudden and are accompanied by extremely intense physical sensations. This can lead a person to believe they may have a serious medical condition.

There are certain differences among them which are listed below:

An anxiety attack, or anxiety:

can have a specific trigger, such as an exam, workplace issues, a health issue, or a relationship problem
is not a diagnosable condition
is less severe than a panic attack
usually develops gradually when a person feels anxious
involves physical symptoms, such as a racing heart or “knot in the stomach“

A panic attack:

does not have a specific trigger
can be a symptom of panic disorder, a diagnosable condition
has severe symptoms
can happen whether a person feels calm or anxious
involves physical symptoms and feelings of terror so intense that the person fears a total loss of control or imminent death
often occurs suddenly and unexpectedly and last between a few minutes and an hour, although the negative impact may continue

* Causes

The exact causes of anxiety are not known, but it is likely that a variety of factors play a role. An anxiety attack can be triggered by anxiety disorders, perceived threats, or certain situations.

* Treatment

Effective anxiety treatments are available. These treatments can be used to treat a diagnosed anxiety disorder, but they can also be helpful for reducing general feelings of anxiety as well.

1. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy focuses on changing the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors associated with anxiety. There are many different types of psychotherapy, but two that are frequently used are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy.

2. Medications

Some medications can be useful for treating symptoms of anxiety. These include:

Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Lexapro (escitalopram) and Zoloft (sertraline)
Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Effexor XR (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine)