Need Information On Anxiety
Usually when you need information on anxiety, you need it now!! As chances are, you or someone you love is experiencing anxiety or has recently had an anxiety attack. You usually need that information quickly and given to you clearly so you can identify some of the symptoms as they can be confusing, and at times, very alarming. No two people will experience anxiety in exactly the same way, however if you are aware that these symptoms, although generally uncomfortable, are a ‘normal’ part of the condition, then it is often somewhat easier to deal with. They can range in number, intensity, and frequency, with each person experiencing their own unique set of anxiety symptoms.
Particularly if you are new to anxiety and its many symptoms, it can be very confronting, confusing and most of all frightening. The effects of anxiety are often trivialized by those who have never experienced an attack, it is not uncommon for people to tell you that although the symptoms are unpleasant they are completely harmless and should be disregarded. However, simply trying to talk oneself out of anxiety is as futile as trying to talk oneself out of a physical condition such as a stomach ulcer.
For Anxiety sufferers it is important to familiarise yourself with the term ‘Fight or Flight Response’ (a very primal response to an impending fear of physical attack) in order to understand what is happening to your body during an anxiety attack. Anxiety triggers the brain to do two things, either fight what might be attacking us or flee (flight) from the danger. This is how our ancestors, the cavemen, responded in the event of being faced with a fearsome beast. Though we are a long way from being cavemen, that response has stayed with us. However, we not only respond to physical threat, modern man will have the same response to perceived threat, for example the body may respond in this way to chronic stress. If unable to flee the danger (whether real or perceived), the body will do its best to fight the attacker, in this case the attackers are the chronic stress symptoms. If you are anxious, angry, sad or stressed your thoughts are affected, not only by mood, but also by your physical body chemistry.
I have written Need Information On Anxiety in order to clarify that anxiety attack symptoms are short term bursts of intense fear out of no known medical cause. The loss of control over your body and your emotions during an attack can make you feel like you are losing your mind, you are not! What is happening is basically a physiological and emotional reaction to a primal response gone awry. Hopefully the knowledge that it is not your fault that you have anxiety may lead you to seek the support and therapies needed in order to bring back a higher level of physical and emotional comfort.
Quick Checklist – Anxiety Symptoms
PLEASE NOTE: If you have any of the following symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately so your healthcare practitioner can rule-out any other conditions.
However, particularly if you experience a few of the symptoms below simultaneously, in most instances, you are probably having an anxiety attack;
Rapid Heartbeat (Palpitations) –
Feels like your heart is about to jump out of your chest. Often due to the increase in adrenaline in the system.
Dizziness Or Feeling Like You Are Light-Headed –
This usually occurs due to taking too many shallow breaths, even if you don’t feel that’s what you are doing. You are more than likely hyperventilating.
Increased Breathing Rate – Hyperventilating –
Part of the ‘Fight or Flight” response, the body is getting ready run (flight) from danger.
Trembling, Sweating, Shaking –
During periods of anxiety the body releases sweat to cool the impending exertions.
Pale Complexion & Tingling In Fingers Or Toes (‘Pins And Needles’)
Blood is diverted from other areas of the body, such as the face and extremities (hands and feet) to the muscles to prepare them for the “Fight or Flight”.
Nausea, Indigestion, Diarrhoea Or Digestive Problems –
With the release of adrenaline that accompanies anxiety, the blood races through the system and is diverted away from certain areas of the body, such as the digestive tract.
Chest Pains
Similar to the symptoms of having a heart attack. If experienced, it is important to have this checked out immediately, just for safe measure. For most people, however, although very uncomfortable it is usually a harmless symptom. A majority of anxiety sufferers have been diagnosed with an Anxiety Disorder in the Emergency Room as a result of thinking they were having a heart attack. I know, I was one of them.
Dry Mouth
As fluids are diverted for use in other parts of the body during anxiety, the mouth becomes dry.
Loss Of Touch With Reality –
Depersonalisation, Derealisation.
Fear That Is Almost Paralyzing
Nervousness, High Distress
Hot Flashes, Or Sudden Chills
Fearful That You Are Going Crazy
Fear That You Are About To Die
As the baseline level of anxiety decreases and returns to normal, the symptoms also reduce.
Although anxiety is a normal human reaction to stress, problems arise when anxiety becomes excessive, even routine situations can be viewed with a feeling of dread. For a lot of people it feels like the switch that turns anxiety off has become faulty. It is important to know that this disorder is not a “figment of your imagination”, it is in fact very real, and affects millions of people around the world. The symptoms can be as mild as a feeling of shyness to the more extreme panic attacks experienced by many anxiety sufferers, both on physical and psychological levels. Anxiety disorders commonly occur along with other mental or physical illnesses so it is important to be correctly diagnosed.
The exact cause of Anxiety is not fully known, however there are a number of identifiable contributing factors to its cause, some of these include;
Stress or Change – some may experience transient anxiety whilst in others it can lead to Anxiety
Disorder and/or Panic Attacks.
Worry – often contains feelings that we are unable to achieve what we want or to protect ourselves from others or events.
Excessive Caffeine Use Or Withdrawal – may cause significant anxiety symptoms.
Alcohol Or Substance Abuse – these can mask anxiety symptoms or make them worse.
If these symptoms start to interfere with your everyday life and activities like work or social events, you will have a fair idea that you are suffering from anxiety disorder. When people think of anxiety attacks, the most common image that comes to mind is that of a frightened overly irritable and ridiculously excitable person. This is a total misconception, the truth is that most people who suffer from anxiety attacks are highly intelligent, perfectionists and are high achievers. Anxiety disorders are not a sign of weakness or lack of character, they are a sign that you need help to overcome this potentially debilitating condition. There are some fabulous programs, groups and practitioners that can assist in your recovery. Never give up hope of recovery.
Anne Edwards has a background in the area of human services. After overcoming a number of serious health issues through her years of research in the field of alternative medicine, she is now openly sharing her amazing discoveries with the world, for free. Anne would like you to share your health success stories with her as well at href=>Free HealthXchange Social Network
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