| They come without warning. You're going about your | | | | Do You Have Anxiety Disorder? |
| daily business when, suddenly, you feel an | | | | Most people will have one or two panic attacks during |
| overwhelming sense of intense fear. The room begins | | | | their life. If you have had a few, there is no reason to |
| to spin. You can't breathe. Your stomach flips, your | | | | suspect that you actually have anxiety disorder. Some |
| heart pounds, and you're shaky and sweating. The first | | | | people, however, will go on to develop the disorder. |
| time it happens, it scares you...and when it happens | | | | Anxiety disorder includes several symptoms. These |
| again, you're even more freaked out. Soon, you're | | | | include: |
| having the symptoms of anxiety disorder all the time. | | | | - frequent panic attacks that are not triggered to a |
| Why? | | | | specific situation; they come on anytime, anywhere |
| The problem with anxiety disorder is that it builds upon | | | | - frequent or consistent worry about having another |
| itself. You have an attack, and get scared. You have | | | | panic attack |
| another, and get more scared. Soon, you are afraid to | | | | - a change in behavior due to your worry about panic |
| do certain things or go certain places (an elevator, for | | | | attacks; for instance, you now avoid certain places |
| instance), in case you have an attack when you are | | | | where you have experienced panic attacks in the past |
| there. Some people become too afraid to even leave | | | | Even though a panic attack is over quickly, the |
| their house, in case they have an attack when they | | | | experience of having one makes a long lasting |
| are out in public. | | | | impression that can affect how you live your life. |
| Are You Having Panic Attacks? | | | | Having more than one can lead to general fear of |
| Knowing the symptoms of an anxiety attack are | | | | having an attack, and that fear can lead to these |
| important. They come on quickly, and usually peak at | | | | symptoms: |
| around 10 minutes. Commonly, an anxiety attack lasts | | | | - Feeling anxious and worried between panic attacks, |
| about 10-20 minutes or so. | | | | instead of relaxed and 'normal', because you are |
| Everyone knows what anxiety feels like, but an | | | | constantly afraid of having another one. This is |
| anxiety attack includes a combination of several | | | | commonly called the 'fear of fear'. |
| symptoms. They include: | | | | - Avoiding situations and places that you fear could |
| - sweating, or a rush of heat | | | | trigger a panic attack, or places where you would be |
| - dizziness, lightheadedness or feeling faint | | | | embarrassed or not be able to get help if you had an |
| - tingling or numbness | | | | attack. This can eventually lead to agoraphobia, a fear |
| - racing heart | | | | of being out in public at all. |
| - shortness of breath | | | | If you think you have the symptoms of anxiety |
| - shaking | | | | disorder, then you need to seek treatment. Luckily, |
| - sick or nervous stomach | | | | there are many options available to you as anxiety |
| - pain or discomfort in your chest | | | | disorder has become more commonly understood. |
| - feeling like you are choking | | | | There are therapies that can help, as well as |
| - feeling unreal, like you are not a part of your | | | | medications and more natural treatment methods that |
| surroundings | | | | will help you end the anxiety, and regain control over |
| - feeling like you are going to die, lose control or go | | | | your life. |
| crazy | | | | |