Understanding The Symptoms Of An Anxiety Attack

While most of us experience occasional anxiety due to the challenges of everyday life, periods of severe fear or nervousness may signal the presence of serious mental health concerns. Many people don’t recognize an anxiety attack when they experience one for the first time. Anxiety or panic attacks can cause physical symptoms that frequently mirror other medical problems like heart issues and severe asthma attacks. 

Understanding panic attack symptoms can be crucial to learning how to cope with them. During a panic or anxiety attack, you may experience an overwhelming feeling of panic and a sense that you’re not in control. You may also have chest pains, heart palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, hyperventilation, and hot flashes or chills. It’s usually best to see a doctor if you’re experiencing any kind of chest pain, and a licensed therapist can help you learn to manage anxiety attacks and their associated symptoms.

An overview of anxiety disorders

The symptoms of anxiety attacks can occur regardless of whether a mental illness is present. However, in some cases, intense anxiety can signal the existence of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions marked by persistent, elevated nervousness, and worry. Individuals who live with these disorders may experience anxiety attacks more frequently and intensely than those who do not. Common symptoms include rapid breathing, sweating, increased heart rate, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, irritability, and thoughts of self-harm. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, approximately 19% of adults in the US experience an anxiety disorder each year. 

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 988 to talk to someone over SMS. Support is available 24/7.

While the exact causes of anxiety disorders are unknown, various genetic and environmental contributors are considered risk factors. Having a family member with an anxiety disorder can increase the chances an individual will develop one themselves. 

Environmental factors that can cause anxiety include traumatic experiences, physical health conditions, and other mental health concerns. Anxiety disorders can arise out of distressing situations; for example, according to the American Psychiatric Association, “Stressful life events can trigger panic disorders”. A medical illness may also contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder; for instance, thyroid problems and diabetes have been connected to anxiety. Additionally, living with another mental health condition—like depression, substance use disorder, or another type of anxiety disorder—can increase one’s risk of developing an anxiety disorder. 

Below are descriptions of three common anxiety disorders that can cause anxiety attacks: generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. In addition to these conditions, several other anxiety disorders can be diagnosed, including agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, selective mutism, and specific phobias. 

Generalized anxiety disorder

Marked by excessive apprehension and nervousness, generalized anxiety disorder can significantly impact an individual’s professional life, relationships, and well-being. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an individual with generalized anxiety disorder can “become exhausted by worry and experience headaches, tension or nausea”. 

Separation anxiety disorder

Characterized by the fear of being parted with an attachment figure, separation anxiety disorder often impacts young children, though it can also occur in adolescents and adults. Separation anxiety can cause an individual to avoid leaving home and worry about the safety of the attachment figure.  

Panic disorder

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, panic attacks are periods of sudden, severe anxiety that occur despite the absence of actual danger. An individual may be diagnosed with panic disorder if they experience frequent panic attacks that lead to concern about their recurrence or abnormal behavioral changes. If the fear of recurrent panic attacks is severe enough, an individual may have an anxiety attack without experiencing a panic attack. 

Symptoms of an anxiety attack

Everyone can experience anxiety differently, and the symptoms of an attack will often depend on the type of anxiety an individual experiences. For example, someone with social anxiety may feel intense self-consciousness that causes them to blush, sweat, and tremble during an anxiety attack. However, there are several symptoms that tend to be common with anxiety or panic attacks.

Overwhelming sense of panic

The first thing many people report when having a panic attack is usually an overwhelming sense of panic and fear. Physical symptoms may or may not follow. Anxiety attacks can feel somewhat different for everyone, but you may experience a fear of losing control and a sense of impending doom or danger. An irrational fear or traumatic event can bring on a panic attack, or it can be completely random.

Feeling like you’re no longer in control

During an anxiety attack, you may feel like you’ve lost control. This can be overwhelming, but it may be helpful to remember that the attack will likely pass, and you may feel better eventually.

Chest pains and heart palpitations

Chest pains can be a telltale sign of an anxiety attack for many people. The potential problem with this symptom may be that anxiety chest pain can mirror heart attack pain. Many people who aren’t aware that they have an anxiety disorder may attribute their symptoms to a medical cause and go to the emergency room. Research shows that as many as 50% of people who come to the emergency room with low-risk chest pain have moderate to severe anxiety. (Note: If you have chest pain, it’s generally best to err on the side of caution and go to the ER to get evaluated immediately.)

Aside from chest pain from anxiety, some people having this disorder may also experience heart palpitations when they’re under a lot of stress. This symptom can occur as part of an anxiety attack or as a precursor to one. Either way, heart palpitations can be very unsettling. They are usually not serious, but it can still be best to speak to your doctor to ensure nothing serious is happening.

Dizziness and feeling like you could pass out

Dizziness may occur when you’re having an anxiety attack. Some people may have anxiety so strongly that they feel like they could faint. Passing out from an anxiety attack may be possible if you can’t calm yourself down. Of course, this is often easier said than done when you’re in the moment and attempting to cope with an anxiety disorder.

Shortness of breath or hyperventilation

Shortness of breath can be very common when people are going through anxiety issues. For example, if you have social anxiety disorder, feeling shortness of breath might not be unusual when you’re in public. However, it could also be the beginning of an anxiety attack.

Hot flashes or getting the chills

Sometimes you may experience hot flashes when you’re going through an anxiety attack. Not everyone with anxiety may experience this symptom, but it can be fairly common. Your face may get very hot, and you might start sweating profusely. Conversely, you may suddenly feel very cold and experience chills running up and down your body.

Anxiety or panic attacks aren’t “fake”

Managing panic attacks can be possible, but many people need the help of a licensed professional to learn how to cope with them. A doctor or therapist may diagnose any potential anxiety disorders, and you’ll likely be able to move forward from there.

Getting help for anxiety attacks and panic attacks

Treatment for anxiety disorders typically involves psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. Therapy can help a participant develop healthy coping mechanisms, address a potential comorbid condition, and identify triggers that may cause or worsen anxiety. 

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed drugs for anxiety. SSRIs may be utilized alongside benzodiazepines. As described by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety medications that are “highly effective in promoting relaxation and reducing muscular tension and other physical symptoms of anxiety”. However, they can also cause dependence, so they are usually prescribed for short-term treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional prior to starting or stopping any medication. 

Lifestyle changes can also help an individual alleviate the symptoms of anxiety. Self-care practices like exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and getting plenty of sleep may reduce the likelihood of an anxiety attack occurring. Additionally, joining a support group can help individuals with anxiety connect with people who are experiencing similar challenges. 

Now that you understand the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks, you can get the help you need. First, it can be helpful to have a conversation with your doctor about what you’re experiencing. Your doctor may want to run some tests to ensure that none of your physical symptoms are related to another disorder.

Many doctors prescribe medication to help people cope with anxiety attack symptoms, but research generally shows that cognitive behavioral therapy is the best treatment for anxiety disorders. Never start or stop any form of medication without the guidance of a licensed medical professional.

Going to therapy

A licensed therapist can help you learn about your anxiety, how to cope with it, and how to lessen the severity of anxiety attacks or potentially avoid them altogether. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tends to be an especially common form of anxiety therapy. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association, CBT is a “well-established, highly effective, and lasting treatment”.

CBT is generally based on a few core principles: that psychological problems are usually partially based on unhelpful ways of thinking and learned patterns of unhelpful behavior, and that people with psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them.

Get started with treatment

If you’re ready to get help for your anxiety, the first place to start may be with your doctor. If you experience symptoms of panic attacks, it’s typically best to rule out other causes first. If your doctor believes you are experiencing anxiety, they may suggest talking to a therapist. Note that not everyone with anxiety may experience panic and anxiety attacks. If you have anxiety symptoms without panic attacks, talking to a therapist can still help you learn how to manage them so they have less of an impact on your daily life. 

Online therapy can have many benefits, especially for people with anxiety. Many people living with anxiety can find it intimidating to begin treatment. Connecting with a qualified professional online from the comfort of your own home can alleviate some of the stress and make it easier to find a licensed therapist who can meet your needs.

Research shows that online therapy for anxiety can be an effective treatment option. Research shows that online treatment was usually equally effective at treating anxiety as face-to-face sessions. Other studies show that online CBT generally leads to a 50% improvement in symptoms of multiple types of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.