Types Of Anxiety Attack Treatment

Updated January 22, 2021

Medically Reviewed By: Aaron Dutil

Anxiety disorders can bring intense feelings of panic and worry. If you have trouble with anxiety, you might worry about experiencing the symptoms as much as you worry about the things you fear. And that isn’t surprising. After all, the effects of anxiety disorders can range from distressing emotions to upsetting thoughts to scary physical symptoms. If you have anxiety attacks or any other type of anxiety disorder, there is help. Many types of treatment are available to help you feel more at ease.

What’s It Like To Have An Anxiety Attack?

An anxiety attack, also called a panic attack, often happens suddenly, with no advance warning. Other times, there might be a trigger that you notice, like getting in a crowded elevator. The symptoms of this anxiety disorder can feel quite alarming. Symptoms might include:

A sense of impending doom
A feeling of extreme panic
A feeling that you’re losing control
Chest pain
Heart palpitations
Feeling like you’re going to faint.
Difficulty breathing
Feeling like you’re choking.
Hyperventilating
Trembling
Nausea
Sweating
Feeling of detachment or unreality

Sometimes, the symptoms of this anxiety disorder are so severe that you might feel like you are literally going to die. Even though your doctor might tell you there’s nothing physically wrong, the symptoms of an anxiety attack can certainly feel physical and life-threatening. This anxiety disorder can include panic attacks that are so overwhelming that many people begin to avoid situations where their anxiety attacks might happen or have happened in the past. This could stop them from pursuing their dream job, traveling, or even just spending time with other people. Treatment can help you overcome an anxiety disorder so that you can do the things you want to or have always dreamed of doing.

Types Of Anxiety Disorders

There are many different types of anxiety disorders, but the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists anxiety disorders into five clinical types. Each anxiety disorder has its own symptoms and triggers. Yet, anxiety attacks can happen independently of any of these types of anxiety disorders.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder is a type of chronic anxiety disorder in which you feel anxiety symptoms more days than not for at least six months. In this anxiety disorder, you might worry about your job, your relationships, your finances, your health, or even ordinary things that happen every day. Some of the symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder include:

Excessive worry
Restlessness
Feeling on edge
Fatigue
Trouble concentrating
Muscle tension
Sleep problems

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is the anxiety disorder most people think of when the subject of panic attacks comes up. If you have this anxiety disorder, you might have anxiety attacks very often. What is an anxiety attack? You feel sudden, intense fear and physical symptoms that go along with fear. The attacks usually last between 10 and 30 minutes, but the symptoms are intense. While many anxiety disorders can evoke panic, in panic disorder, these attacks are the main feature.

Social Anxiety

Social anxiety, also called social phobia, is an anxiety disorder in which you have overwhelming fear in social situations. Some people only have social anxiety symptoms when they are in one specific type of social setting. For example, they might have them when they have to give a speech or go to a party. Others might have these anxiety disorder symptoms every time they have to be around other people. Symptoms include:

Blushing
Rapid heartbeat
Sweating
Trembling
Dizziness
Feeling that your mind is blank
Feeling like you can’t breathe
Muscle tension
Fear of being judged
Fear that others will notice your anxiety symptoms
Obsessing over the details of your social performance after the fact

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is another anxiety disorder that can include anxiety attacks. Among all the anxiety disorders, PTSD is the one that usually comes after you’ve experienced a traumatic event or situation. Some things that might trigger PTSD include military combat, accidents, and violent attacks. The common thread in these situations is that you felt your life was in danger when they happened. When you have this anxiety disorder, you might have flashbacks or nightmares about the traumatic experience. You might have a feeling of emotional numbness, as well. Many people feel jumpy, irritable, or easily angered, sometimes called hypervigilance.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Another of the major anxiety disorders is an obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you have OCD, you might have recurrent ruminating thoughts and repetitive behaviors. You might perform rituals, like repeated hand washing, counting, or cleaning. These specific rituals might relieve you in the short term, but the anxiety always returns. If you can’t do the ritual, the symptoms become worse, and you might become very panicked at not being able to complete a specific ritual.

Treatments For Anxiety Disorders

The two main type of treatment for anxiety disorders is psychotherapy. Many people seek psychotherapy or prefer just talk therapy. For all guidance regarding treatment, please consult a licensed medical professional.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that can be helpful for people with any anxiety disorder. This therapy technique assumes that thoughts and actions drive emotions and symptoms of anxiety disorders. The idea is that, by addressing your thoughts and behaviors, you can find relief from your anxiety disorder symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been proven effective in countless studies, and in a 2012 study, researchers found that the positive effects of CBT lasted for at least a year.

Cognitive Therapy

One type of CBT for anxiety disorders is cognitive therapy. In this form of anxiety disorder therapy, you start by identifying your negative thoughts. If you’re in therapy for anxiety attacks, you might be looking for negative thoughts you have before, during, or after the panic attacks.

The next step is to evaluate the thoughts to see if they’re helpful and accurate. If you determine that thought isn’t making you feel better or is causing anxiety disorder symptoms, you then need to decide what to do about it. You can find a way to reframe the thought, change the thought to something more accurate or helpful for you, or even keep the thought if that seems best to you. You decide what to think and do about any of the anxiety disorders, and your therapist guides and supports you along the way.

Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy for anxiety disorders means that you are systematically exposed to the thing that triggers your anxiety. If you choose a technique called flooding, you are exposed to the things you fear most all along the way. But if you have hierarchy therapy for anxiety disorders, you are exposed to the things you fear least at first and keep advancing up the hierarchy until you are exposed to the things that cause you the most anxiety.

Group Therapy

People with many types of anxiety disorders can benefit from group therapy. Cognitive therapy is usually the main technique used, along with other group therapy methods. Group therapy is especially helpful for people who have social phobia because it gives them a chance to practice being in a social setting and interacting with others at a time when they have a therapist with them to help them face their fears.

Working With A Therapist To Overcome Anxiety Disorders

Working with a therapist to get help with your anxiety disorder can be very rewarding. There are a few things to remember about therapy for anxiety disorders. First, you always have the option to go to therapy or not. So, it makes sense to think about what you want to accomplish or setting goals with your therapist. Taking an active part in therapy can help you get better results. Second, any time you feel confused or upset about what’s happening in your anxiety disorder therapy sessions, it’s usually helpful to bring it up and discuss it with your therapist. They are there to help and will explain the therapeutic process.

Stress Management Techniques

Learning stress management techniques can help feel more relaxed when you feel worry, muscle tension, or fear as a part of an anxiety disorder. You can learn them on your own by watching videos or reading about them. Or, your therapist can teach you how to do them and give you opportunities to practice them. Stress management techniques include:

Taking a walk
Practicing mindfulness
Deep breathing
Journaling
Systematic muscle relaxation
Listening to music
Working out

How To Get Started With Anxiety Disorder Treatments

Do you think it’s time to do something to relieve the symptoms of your anxiety disorder? If so, there are many avenues you can take. You could go to a support group in your local area to meet other people and find out how they deal with their anxiety disorders. But for professional treatment, a better option might be to see a psychiatrist, a therapist, or both.

Licensed counselors are available at BetterHelp for online therapy through videoconferencing. During your sessions, you can discuss your symptoms of anxiety disorders, triggers and come up with a plan for reducing your anxiety. By choosing online counseling, you get the chance to have therapy from where you are, at a time that’s best for you. No matter where you go for treatment, no matter what mental health professionals you go to, the important thing is that you get treatment for your anxiety disorder so you can feel comfortable doing all the things you want to do with your life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the 6 types of anxiety disorders?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, the six types of anxiety disorders include:

Generalized anxiety disorder GAD
Panic disorder
Phobia/specific phobias (a fear of a specific object or scenario)
Social anxiety disorder (there are two types of social anxiety disorder, but the most common is just general chronic social anxiety disorder)
Agoraphobia
Separation anxiety disorder

Other mental illnesses, like obsessive compulsive disorder OCD or post traumatic stress disorder PTSD may share similarities with anxiety disorders, but they are classified separately from the list above.

What can you do for severe anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal, expected part of life for everyone. We all feel some degree of anxiety throughout our lives. It’s not necessarily something to be concerned about so long as it isn’t chronic or interfering heavily with your life.

When things cross over into mental health disorder territory, though, it’s time to seek out the help of a professional. If you feel anxious all or most of the time, even when there isn’t any apparent reason for your anxiety, you may be developing an anxiety disorder.

There are many different ways anxiety can show itself and many different disorders (see our discussion above to understand what these disorders are and what symptoms the disorders include). Some individuals may feel anxiety surrounding a particular object or situation. In contrast, some individuals may experience anxiety due to another mental illness (such as post traumatic stress disorder PTSD).

If you’d like another great resource to understand how to treat or approach anxiety, check out these informational guides by the National Institute of Mental Health.

What are examples of anxiety attacks?

Those with panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorder GAD, post traumatic stress disorder PTSD, or other related illnesses are likely familiar with the telltale signs of a panic or anxiety attack.

Anxiety attacks can come on suddenly and very intensely. They usually involve an intense feeling of fear or dread or the worry that something terrible will happen. Individuals may experience an accelerated heart rate, tingling or numbness in their limbs, shortness of breath, jitteriness, or any number of stressful physical symptoms.

Even though anxiety attacks can be terrifying and feel very real in the moment, it’s important to remind yourself that you are safe and grounded in reality. You may find it helpful to work through strategies to help de-escalate your emotions in the moment or activities that help calm you down.

How can I get rid of anxiety?

Getting rid of anxiety entirely is impossible because, as we’ve discussed, anxiety is a normal part of life. We all get anxious when things are stressful or feel out of our control, but someone with an anxiety disorder feels intense anxiety frequently, and so much that it impacts their everyday lives.

Most people with anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses (obsessive compulsive disorder OCD, specific phobias, depression, etc.) will benefit the most from therapy. Mental health treatment plans can also involve other resources, like support groups, family or relationship therapy, or even plain mindfulness.

What is bad anxiety?

Even though we all feel anxious from time to time, those with anxiety disorders experience it the most. Mental health issues can be hard to identify, and anxiety symptoms can overlap with other mental health issues (anxiety and depression, for instance, might both cause you to avoid situations that put you outside your comfort zone).

Like all mental disorders anxiety of all kinds (from generalized anxiety disorder GAD to agoraphobia) is treatable. See our discussion under “what can I do for severe anxiety?” above for more information.

What helps anxiety naturally?

When it comes to identifying symptoms anxiety can be hard to wrap one’s mind around fully; sometimes, the things we feel or think as a result of our anxiety seem nonsensical or illogical, so it’s hard to rationalize or understand them on our own.

That’s part of why it’s crucial to take advantage of therapy as an opportunity to develop natural and helpful techniques to control your anxiety. Some examples of potential strategies might include channeling your anxiety into a creative project, distracting yourself, or releasing emotion through physical activity.

Remember, what works for one person’s anxiety may not work for another’s, and that’s okay! Be sure to take the time and energy to find what does work for you because it has the potential to impact your relationship with your anxiety significantly.

What vitamins help with anxiety?

Some individuals swear by specific vitamins or supplements to help with anxiety and depression, but there is no scientifically proven anti anxiety vitamin to take.

Still, there’s a case to be made that maintaining a nutritious diet complete with a variety of nutrients, getting adequate sleep, and taking care of your body overall may help lessen your anxiety and make you feel better about yourself.

What to tell someone who has anxiety?

People with anxiety disorders or mental health issues in general, for the most part, would benefit immensely from genuine support. It’s important to remember that those with anxiety need support not just during moments of intense emotion but also during their daily lives. Mental illnesses can significantly impact our ability to live life as we want to.

Anxiety is a normal emotion to have, so it can be easy for those who don’t deal with anxiety disorders to underestimate how intense and troublesome they can be. Other anxiety disorders/similar mental illnesses (panic disorder, separation anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder OCD, specific phobias, etc.) might also be present, so having a good understanding of different illnesses is always helpful.

Telling someone with anxiety that you are there for them is one of the most beneficial things you can do. You can also offer to discuss their feelings, if they’re comfortable, or practice mindfulness or other helpful skills with them. Sometimes the simple knowledge that we aren’t alone can make a huge difference.

How can I reduce anxiety immediately?

If you begin to feel anxious, the time to act is immediate. For those with anxiety disorders, responding as soon as anxiety begins to rise can be a great way of preventing it from spiraling into something more.

Find activities or distractions that help take your mind off of your anxiety. You might also find it helpful to unpack or analyze why you feel anxious - what’s going on around you? How do you feel? What do you think might make it better?

Other excellent skills include deep breathing, meditation, or positive self-talk. Reinforcing an attitude of optimism and hope is also essential. If you tell yourself that bad things will happen, you can easily trick yourself into believing it’s true.

How do you calm a panic attack?

What works to help get rid of panic attacks can vary immensely from person to person. Some individuals might benefit from distracting themselves, but others might find it hard to focus on anything other than their anxiety. Some might find physical activity helpful, but others might find it only worsens their physical symptoms.

With that in mind, it’s easy to see why it’s so important to take the signs and symptoms of mental health issues seriously and obtain the care of a healthcare professional. Identifying techniques to manage your anxiety and finding ways to cope with it are critical parts of anxiety treatment.

Other mental illnesses, like depression or post traumatic stress disorder ptsd, can develop as the result of or interact with anxiety disorders/panic disorder. Trying to manage a mental illness entirely on your own is not only challenging but sometimes impossible.

Don’t wait to speak to a doctor, therapist, or psychiatrist - you deserve help if you need it, and you deserve it now.

How do you describe an anxiety attack?

For many individuals, having an anxiety attack feels like something is going seriously wrong. You may have a strong sense of fear, dread, or stress, and the physical symptoms you experience may further alarm you.

Physical symptoms can include chest pain, heart palpitations, and increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and even numbness throughout your body. Some individuals who deal with anxiety attacks may feel like they’re having a heart attack or another serious medical emergency.

Anxiety attacks are powerful, and they can be terrifying. It can be hard to put into words the sheer terror and anxiety that one feels in the moment and even harder to explain it to someone completely unfamiliar with the concept.

Feel free to use this guide as a resource to start the discussion with loved ones about what it’s like to live with anxiety attacks, how to treat them, and how they can better support you.

What happens during an anxiety attack?

The signs and symptoms of an anxiety attack can be alarming, especially when they extend beyond the mind and create physical symptoms. Some of the symptoms include:

Heart palpitations
High heart rate
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Severe emotional distress
Crying
Fear of something terrible happening

Does anxiety worsen with age?

Anxiety will not inevitably worsen with age. As you get older, you may become more equipped and gain greater resources to treat your mental illness.

However, consider that mental health issues, just like any other health condition, can worsen over time, mostly if left untreated. That’s why it’s so important to speak with a doctor as soon as you notice you may be dealing with the symptoms of a mental illness, whether it be an anxiety attack or not.

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For Additional Help & Support With Your Concerns

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The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.

Types Of Anxiety Attack Treatment

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