| Are You Having Panic Attacks? Recognize the | | | | diagnose. The following are anxiety attack symptoms |
| Symptoms | | | | that manifest themselves physically. |
| Most panic attacks or anxiety attacks are simple, | | | | • Increased heartbeat and palpitations |
| harmless bouts with stress and anxiety but sometimes, | | | | • Cold hands and feet |
| these anxiety attacks can become harmful and can | | | | • Increased sweat |
| lead to more complicated disorders if they happen | | | | • Vertigo (lightheadedness or dizziness) |
| regularly and with little provocation. Panic attacks can | | | | • Pains in the chest area |
| be prevented from becoming full-blown disorders by | | | | • Numbness or a tingling sensation |
| recognizing various anxiety attack symptoms and | | | | • Pupils are dilated |
| being aware of why and how they occur. | | | | • Stomach problems like diarrhea |
| Both stress and anxiety are normal emotions that are | | | | Although most attacks manifest themselves physically, |
| caused by events such as a first date, family troubles | | | | some of those who experience these attacks may |
| or college exams. When stress or anxiety is felt, the | | | | also feel emotional symptoms. Some people say that |
| brain releases adrenaline or cortisol (stress hormones), | | | | they start feeling detached from reality, while others |
| which trigger different reactions such as increased | | | | feel extremely scared of death and of losing their |
| heart rate, dilated pupils and the overproduction of | | | | minds. Below are some emotional anxiety attack |
| sweat to prepare the body to face the danger it | | | | symptoms that may accompany the physical |
| senses. This reaction is your body's natural "fight or | | | | symptoms. |
| flight" response, a mechanism built into man since | | | | • Extreme fear (of death, losing control or going |
| prehistoric times, when the body needed these | | | | crazy) |
| reactions to fight or flee from dangerous | | | | • Feeling detached from reality |
| sabre-toothed tigers and mammoths. | | | | • Extreme insecurity and uneasiness |
| Although it has been years since sabre-toothed tigers | | | | • Confusion and ungainliness |
| roamed the earth, the body still reacts to stress the | | | | • Unease and restlessness |
| same way, even if such life-threatening situations are | | | | People who experience panic attacks sometimes |
| few and far between. Stressors, such as traffic or | | | | enter a vicious cycle: they worry about suddenly |
| final exams, cause your body to go through the same | | | | having attacks in a public place such as a mall or |
| reactions: your pupils dilate, your heart beats faster and | | | | movie house. Some fret about experiencing attacks |
| you sweat more. These anxiety attack symptoms | | | | while driving. These worries, in turn, trigger anxiety |
| may sometimes be compounded by overwhelming | | | | attacks and these attacks get compounded and |
| fear and panic and can lead to depression or even | | | | become debilitating. Some become so fearful that they |
| mental disorders. | | | | avoid leaving their houses or driving. |
| There are ways and signs by which you can tell | | | | Panic attacks and anxiety attack symptoms can be |
| whether you're just having a really bad day or if you | | | | kept in check by relaxing and keeping your body and |
| are experiencing a panic attack. Different symptoms, | | | | yourself under control even in the worst situations. |
| which are categorized into two general groups, can | | | | Learning proper relaxation techniques, physical activities |
| help you identify if anxiety attacks are about to set in. | | | | such as yoga or running and even meditation can help |
| The physical symptoms of panic attacks are like heart | | | | you stop and prevent anxiety attacks for a happier, |
| attack symptoms, making these attacks difficult to | | | | anxiety-free life. |