Anxiety Attack Symptoms Hit At Any Age

Anyone who has experienced anxiety attack symptoms will tell you: they can be extremely scary. For the outsider, the idea of mental issues causing such physical complaints may sound quite ludicrous. It pays to have an open mind, however, as untreated anxiety definitely puts a person at risk of very real and life threatening problems.

Where it starts is in the brain with worries or phobias playing in your mind. The trigger can be quite specific, like money problems or upcoming surgery. Dark thoughts sit deeply; you may not really be thinking about them but they have to come out. When they do, it makes no difference if you are driving, sleeping or shopping. An individual can feel quite powerless.

The most basic symptom is one of panic. It can be mild panic accompanied by terrible images, but still uncomfortable. Sometimes whatever caused it seems far away and one was not even thinking about it at the time. Even kids can be struck, perhaps over a test or going to a brand new school.

Another sensation could be a lump in the throat. It feels like you want to cry, or scream. In fact, it just sits there and nothing happens. Being able to do either would be a release.

Many people hyperventilate. They start to have trouble breathing and, with that, become even more alarmed than before. What began in a troubled mind has now become a physical problem in part because of worrying about what is happening. With this may come dizziness, nausea, even fainting.

Others report something like claustrophobia. A large enough space populated by just a few people making moderate noise may seem to constrict, their numbers grow, volume amplifying at the same time. Heart palpitations can arise, even chest pain. To the untrained eye someone could be having a heart attack. He might fall to the ground, confused, then come round to have faces looking at him and not know where he is. If this happens at home, it helps to have a quiet and uncluttered space to retreat to.

It helps if, having had one or two attacks, you know this can happen to you. For those with no warning, that first attack is a terrifying experience. However, simple measures can help, at least superficially. One is to carry a physical object that gives comfort and distraction. No matter how silly this may seem, anything that helps is a good thing. Saying a prayer or repeating comforting words might do the trick. Some people are keen on herbal remedies, while others will need medication. To get at the root, some counselling can make a difference, or just resolving the difficult issue that started things in the first place if you can.

Now that you can identify anxiety attack symptoms you are a step closer to learning how to prevent them. Make sure you continue you quest to learn more about this debilitating condition.