What Causes Anxiety Attacks, And How Can I Cope With Them?
Anxiety attacks can often be caused by stress, social anxiety triggers, and medical problems. They are typically less severe than panic attacks and usually occur in response to a known trigger. Anxiety attacks are normally treated with a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. You can get started with treatment by joining an online therapy platform and connecting with a licensed therapist.
What Causes Anxiety Attacks?
There are many things that can cause anxiety attacks, and triggers for anxiety attacks can vary from person to person. One individual might have an anxiety attack because they are speaking in public, whereas someone else might have one in the middle of taking an exam. It may help to learn what your triggers are. Read on to explore some of the common reasons why people can have anxiety attacks.
Stress
Stress can be one of the most common causes of anxiety and anxiety attacks. You may have several sources of stress in your life, and all of them could contribute to anxiety. If you have generalized anxiety disorder, then you might have difficulty handling stress. The intensity of your anxiety disorder could play a role in how well you cope with stress.
Anyone may experience an anxiety attack under the right conditions. Everyone typically experiences stress in life, and sometimes particularly trying moments occur, such as divorce or the death of a loved one. Anxiety attacks aren’t necessarily an indication that you have an anxiety disorder, but you might talk to your doctor about what is happening to get help.
Social Anxiety Triggers
Social anxiety triggers may be another thing to consider. Many people with generalized anxiety disorder experience social anxiety as well. If you feel uneasy when you’re out in public, then you may have problems with social anxiety. Sometimes this social anxiety can present itself as an anxiety attack. You might feel your heart start to race, or you might become short of breath.
You might feel fine in some social situations while having significant difficulty in others. Which types of social situations trigger an anxiety attack usually depends on the individual. Some people might have an anxiety attack when they’re faced with large crowds, while others might feel uneasy around particular people. You may be able to recognize your social anxiety triggers if you think about the moments that tend to make you feel anxious.
Medical Problems
Some medical problems can cause people to experience anxiety as well. These may include heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and respiratory disorders. Anxiety can also be a side effect of certain prescription medications. You might talk to a healthcare provider to ask about any potential side effects of your medications.
Differences Between Anxiety Attacks And Panic Attacks
The terms “panic attack” and “anxiety attack” are often confused or used interchangeably. Panic attacks and anxiety attacks can be similar in many ways, but some differences usually set them apart. Panic attacks tend to be more severe than anxiety attacks. Anxiety attacks can be very startling, but a panic attack can make a person feel like they’re severely distressed. Having panic attacks regularly can cause significant challenges, and someone who experiences them could be diagnosed with panic disorder.
Panic attacks don’t necessarily have specific triggers like anxiety attacks tend to. You might experience an anxiety attack due to breaking up with your significant other or failing an exam. However, you may not always be able to pinpoint the reason for a panic attack.
Whether you’re having an anxiety attack or a panic attack might not matter to you, though. Anxiety attacks can be frightening because you might not know what is going on. Even if you’re not having full-blown panic attacks, you might want to talk to a mental health professional. You don’t necessarily have to cope with anxiety or panic attacks alone, and there are likely licensed professionals who can help you.
Potential Treatments
There may be many potential treatments for anxiety attacks and panic attacks. Some of the same treatments can work for both panic attacks and anxiety attacks. If you’re experiencing anxiety attacks for any reason, then it’s generally recommended that you talk to your doctor about it. Your doctor may determine whether you’re going through a specific anxiety or panic disorder. You might have a condition such as generalized anxiety disorder, or you could be experiencing something else. Depending on what you’re going through, your doctor may be able to recommend different treatments.
Some people take medications to help with anxiety. Anti-anxiety medications can be helpful and make coping with anxiety much easier. There are a variety of prescription medications out there that can help people who experience anxiety attacks and panic attacks. Always consult a doctor before starting or stopping any form of medication.
Your doctor might recommend other treatment methods as well. For many patients, therapy can be a great way to alleviate anxiety.
You could be experiencing underlying challenges that are causing you to have anxiety attacks. A therapist may help you figure out why you’re feeling this way and lead you through various exercises to relieve anxiety.
It may be possible to work with an online therapist if you would prefer that option. Online therapy has been shown to be just as effective as in-person therapy for anxiety, and it may be especially helpful if anxiety makes it difficult to leave home at times.
With an online therapy platform, you can talk to a therapist via video or live chat. You can also contact your therapist via in-app messaging in between sessions if you’re experiencing anxiety, and they’ll typically get back to you as soon as they can.
Lifestyle Changes
Another option for managing anxiety may be to reduce stress in your life. Stress is normally one of the most common reasons why people experience anxiety attacks. Some people reduce anxiety by changing jobs or cutting negative activities out of their lives. It can also be helpful to practice mindfulness or some other form of guided meditation.
You might also consider making other lifestyle changes. For instance, research shows that anxiety often improves with regular exercise. Exercising usually releases positive endorphins in your body that may help you feel more positive overall.
Takeaway
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Triggers An Anxiety Attack?
Different situations can trigger anxiety in different people. Some people may have specific phobias related to an object or situation that may trigger their anxiety. For example, if someone has a fear of heights, they may have an anxiety attack when they are at the top of a large stairwell or when they're in a very tall building. On the other hand, someone else may feel no anxiety related to heights, but experience fear in crowds. If someone has social anxiety disorder, social situations could trigger an anxiety attack.
What Does An Anxiety Attack Feel Like?
During an anxiety attack, someone might experience worry, emotional distress, trouble concentrating, restlessness, and fear. They may also experience physical symptoms, such as trembling, heart palpitations, shaking, sweating, facial flushing, a rapid heartbeat, and more.
How Do You Calm An Anxiety Attack?
There can be a number of ways to calm an anxiety attack. Here are some strategies to try:
If possible, take yourself out of the situation that triggered your anxiety.
Step outside for some fresh air.
Use calming mantras that are relevant to the situation, such as, "All that I have to do right now is be…," or "I can only do what I can do, and that is good enough".
Use mindfulness techniques.
Engage in a healthy distraction, such as seeking peer support by calling a trusted friend.
Seeing a therapist may also provide skills to manage anxiety.
What's The Difference Between A Panic Attack And An Anxiety Attack?
Anxiety attacks and panic attacks typically differ in the sense that panic attacks sometimes come on out of the blue, whereas anxiety usually builds up over time. Panic attacks are normally listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a specifier, but anxiety attacks are not.
What Is The Best Medicine For Anxiety Attacks?
Therapy is often the first line of treatment for those living with symptoms of anxiety. However, your doctor may suggest some form of medication if they feel it is the best option for you.
What Should I Do After An Anxiety Attack?
Taking deep breaths, engaging in mindfulness activities, calling a friend or loved one, and using positive self-talk may all be helpful after an anxiety attack. If you notice that you have frequent anxiety attacks or want to know how to address and manage future anxiety attacks, seeing a mental health professional can help.
What Happens After An Anxiety Attack?
After an anxiety attack, it can be common for someone to feel fatigued. You may also feel more on edge than usual following an anxiety attack due to residual anxiety.
Is It OK To Sleep After A Panic Attack?
It can be okay to sleep after a panic attack. Panic attacks are often draining, and maintaining a good sleep schedule is often a vital part of the management of anxiety disorders.
What Is The Aftermath Of An Anxiety Attack?
Anxiety attacks can be physically and mentally draining. After an anxiety attack, you might experience residual anxiety and physical symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, and tension.
How Do I Stop Feeling Jittery?
Suppose you believe that you may have a mental health condition that is causing you to feel shaky or jittery, such as general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder or social phobia, separation anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In that case, you may benefit from speaking to a mental health professional. Once you have the right support in place, you can work through the concerns that are causing you to feel shaky or jittery and cultivate coping skills that will help you in the long term.
Why Does My Body Feel Shaky Inside?
Feeling shaky could be a symptom of anxiety. However, it may be necessary to see a medical professional to determine the source of this symptom.
Why Do I Feel Shaky And Weak?
In the absence of other causes, such as low blood sugar, feeling shaky or weak could be attributed to anxiety. However, if you feel shaky or weak, it may be important to rule out any other potential causes. If you experience symptoms such as intense fear or excessive worry paired with shakiness and weakness, these symptoms may be due to anxiety.
Why Do I Feel Jittery And Shaky?
It’s possible that anxiety could cause you to feel jittery and shaky, but you may wish to seek help from a medical professional in order to determine the cause of these symptoms.
What Causes A Person To Shake?
Although symptoms of anxiety may include physical symptoms like shaking, you might see a doctor to rule out any other health condition that could be causing it. For example, if you have a health condition that causes drops in blood sugar, this can cause shaking.
Are Shaky Hands A Sign Of Anxiety?
Shaky hands can have a number of causes, including anxiety. If you feel nervous and notice that your hands are shaking, it may be due to anxiety.
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