Many people wonder whether they are having an anxiety attack and are curious about the physical signs of anxiety. This is certainly a valid concern because the symptoms of an anxiety attack can mimic other conditions. It is quite common for people to have an anxiety attack and think something else is going on, including a heart attack.
The physical signs of anxiety can include the following:
• Feelings of unease, fear or panic
• Thoughts that are obsessive or uncontrollable
• Nightmares
• Repetitive thoughts of traumatic experiences, including flashbacks
• Difficulty sleeping
• Ritualistic behaviors
• Sweaty or cold hands
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Dry mouth
• Unable to be calm and still
• Nausea
• Tingling or numbness in the feet or hands
• Muscle tension
It is important to understand that this list is certainly not exhaustive of the symptoms of anxiety. It is very possible for an individual to experience an anxiety attack and have other symptoms. In many cases, an individual may experience certain anxiety attack symptoms at one time during an anxiety attack and an entirely different set of symptoms during a subsequent anxiety episode. This is one of the reasons that it can be difficult for many people to determine whether they are having an anxiety attack or suffering from some other health problem. It should be noted that if you are ever in doubt about whether you are having an anxiety attack or a heart attack, you should not delay seeing a physician.
The good news is that when you have determined that you are having an anxiety attack, you can begin taking steps to control physical symptoms related to your anxiety attacks. One of the first steps is to determine the type of anxiety attack you are suffering. There are many different types of anxiety disorders and each type of disorder may include certain symptoms that are not commonly present in other disorders. Types of anxiety disorders include:
• Panic disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder; also known as OCD
• Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTS
• Specific phobias such as a fear of heights, flying, etc.
After you have determined the type of anxiety disorder from which you suffer it is time to begin focusing your attention on the source of your anxiety and ways in which you can control your anxiety symptoms. The process of determining the source of your anxiety can take some time and you may find that professional assistance is required. Even during the process of determining the source of your anxiety; however, you can use practical methods to help control the symptoms of your anxiety. When you learn to control your anxiety you will be able to stop anxiety attacks before they have an opportunity to truly begin. This will allow you to regain control of your life while you work through your anxiety disorder. The physical signs of anxiety can be controlled with time, effort and dedication.
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