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What an Anxiety Attack Feels Like

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Care Plan

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First steps to consider

  • Consider seeing a therapist if you have had an anxiety or panic attack.
  • You may be able to manage your anxiety attack at home if you have had them before and have strategies that help reduce your anxiety.
  • Strategies include slow and controlled breathing, reducing stimulation around you, and getting support from someone who can help you feel safe.
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Emergency Care

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Call 911 or go to the ER if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • You feel like you’re having a heart attack or going to die.
  • You think your symptoms may be life threatening
  • If you have had panic attacks before but this one seems different.

Anxiety attacks are the manifestation of a fight-or-flight response gone awry, which may rise up seemingly at random or in response to an emotional stimulus.

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Anxiety attack symptoms

It’s hard to breathe, your heart is racing, your chest hurts, and you have an overwhelming feeling of dread. The symptoms of an anxiety attack, or “panic attack,” are often severe and debilitating. One second you feel fine and the next you’re spiraling out of control. It’s easy to confuse this phenomenon with a heart attack or an asthma attack because of the physical symptoms; however, fear is a key factor.

What are anxiety attacks?

Anxiety attacks are the fight-or-flight response gone awry. The level of anxiety you experience during an attack will feel just as severe as if you were in real danger. It’s no wonder anxiety attacks can be so frightening.

It's important to determine if what you experienced is actually an anxiety attack and not something else. Most of the same symptoms are present with arrhythmias, heart attacks, asthma attacks, and other diseases. For example, they can include chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Additionally, some individuals may experience agoraphobia, a fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help wouldn't be available if things go wrong.

Common characteristics of an anxiety attack

  • Heart racing or beating out of your chest
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Pupillary dilation
  • Feelings of panic, fear, or disorientation

Anxiety attack causes

Anxiety attacks can be described by feelings of intense worry, fear, or dread. They are essentially an example of your body's "fight or flight" response gone awry. Anxiety attacks are a relatively common experience; however, they have strong physical signs that sometimes make them hard to differentiate from other conditions.

The first time you experience an anxiety attack, you might think it's a heart attack. The opposite can be true as well — you don’t want to shrug off a heart attack as “just an anxiety attack.” Most people experience at least one panic attack in their lifetime, but this does indicate a disorder. Anxiety attacks are considered a disorder when they are frequent or chronic. A summary of panic attack causes and other diseases are described below.

Psychiatric causes

Psychiatric disorders associated with anxiety attacks include the following.

  • Anxiety disorder: Some people have anxiety disorders in which they get frequent anxiety attacks.
  • Post-traumatic stress: Individuals can experience panic-type symptoms, for example, after exposure to extreme trauma.
  • Agoraphobia: Agoraphobia, or the fear of certain situations or places, can sometimes lead to anxiety attacks.

Cardiovascular causes

The palpitations and shortness of breath of arrhythmia are often confused with anxiety attacks.

Respiratory causes

Causes of anxiety attacks related to the respiratory system may include the following.

  • Asthma attack: Asthma attacks are associated with difficulty breathing and an elevated heart rate.
  • Lung disease exacerbation: Similar to asthma, acute exacerbations of chronic lung disease can cause panic attack-like symptoms. For example, sudden shortness of breath and intense chest tightness may lead to heightened anxiety.

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Environmental causes

  • Toxins: Various environmental toxins, for example, pollutants, can lead to anxiety and anxiety attack-like symptoms.
  • Drug overdose: Overdosing on certain stimulant drugs, such as caffeine, amphetamine, or cocaine can lead to symptoms similar to an anxiety attack, such as palpitations and extreme anxiety.
  • Allergic reaction: A severe allergic reaction can create symptoms of an anxiety attack.

Endocrine causes

Rare tumors of endocrine organs can produce adrenaline and other hormones leading to panic attack-like symptoms.

Metabolic causes

Metabolic abnormalities such as severe infection, traumatic injury, or changes in temperature or electrolyte levels can trigger physical symptoms similar to those of an anxiety attack.

Panic disorder

Panic disorder is a chronic condition that involves repeated episodes of panic attacks, as well as worry about future attacks or consequences of attacks, or unhelpful changes in behavior to avoid the attacks. Panic attacks are episodes of sudden-onset fear, discomfort, and/or other symptoms tha..

Panic or anxiety attack(s)

Panic or anxiety attacks are sudden feelings of intense fear or stress without true danger. Symptoms usually peak and then decrease within minutes. One may feel as if they are losing control or have physical signs like sweating or a racing heart. A panic attack can be a very scary experience and should be taken seriously.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms:

Symptoms that always occur with panic or anxiety attack(s): anxiety or anxiety/panic attacks

Urgency: Primary care docto

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health problems in the United States. Generalized anxiety disorder refers to ongoing feelings of worry and anxiousness that persists for at least six months. Generalized anxiety disorder seems to run in families, making some individuals more vulnerable to stressors than others.

Symptoms include constant feelings of worry over both major and everyday events, difficulty concentrating or sleeping, feeling tired, irritability, as well as physical symptoms, such as headaches and body aches.

The diagnosis is made by patient history and physical examination to rule out physical causes. The individual may be referred to a mental health specialist for further evaluation and treatment, which may involve talk therapy to learn new ways to manage stress, medications, and lifestyle adjustments.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: fatigue, trouble sleeping, general anxiety (stress), irritability, nausea

Symptoms that always occur with generalized anxiety disorder (gad): general anxiety (stress)

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Acute stress disorder

Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a psychological condition caused by trauma, especially by any violent attack such as robbery, assault, or combat. "Acute" means that clear symptoms appear within days of the traumatic event. Most susceptible are those with a previous history.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops as a reaction of trauma. One can get PTSD after living through or seeing a traumatic event, such as war, a hurricane, sexual assault, physical abuse, or a bad accident. PTSD causes stress and fear after the danger is over.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: psychological or physiological distress

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Anxiety attack treatments and relief

Anxiety attacks are generally predictable as to when they're going to occur — usually over a 20-minute period. It's typical to need a few minutes to calm back down afterward. Many people experience at least one anxiety attack throughout their lives, which can be managed at home. However, if these attacks become frequent and debilitating, it may be necessary to see a professional to reduce their frequency and severity.

At-home treatment

Symptoms of your anxiety attack may be helped significantly by the following.

  • Find a quiet place: Many people find it easier to manage an anxiety attack when they are isolated from sources of stress or excess stimulation.
  • Identify triggers: Sometimes, triggers of anxiety attacks are apparent. It can be helpful to look for patterns. It can be helpful to confront the triggers, learn to not fear them, and learn self-regulation so they don't cause panic anymore.
  • Seek help: Reach out to a friend or a mental health professional for support.
  • Exercise: Engaging in regular physical exercise can help reduce anxiety and the frequency of anxiety attacks.

When to see a doctor

If more conservative measures are not effective, you should consult your physician. He or she may recommend the following to help alleviate your symptoms.

  • Therapy: Various cognitive and behavioral therapy techniques can help reduce anxiety attacks, making your condition more manageable.
  • Medications: Some prescription medications can be used to reduce the frequency of anxiety attacks or to significantly shorten their duration when you feel one coming on.

When it is an emergency

You should seek help without delay if you have:

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Anxiety attack quiz

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FAQs about anxiety attack

What can trigger an anxiety attack?

Anxiety attacks are triggered by various aspects of life. This may include fear of social situations or worries about work or interpersonal relationships. Anything that adds to daily stress can trigger the processes that initiate a panic attack.

Can you die from having an anxiety attack?

Panic attacks are not generally fatal. They can be dangerous if they occur during a moment when a person can harm themselves or someone else (e.g. operating a vehicle, walking across the street), or if the body is unable to handle the increased arousal from the panic attack. A heart attack (myocardial infarction) caused by an increased heart rate in someone with severe cardiovascular disease may result in death. However, these circumstances are very rare.

What causes anxiety attacks for no reason?

Most anxiety attacks are triggered by extreme thoughts, emotions, or traumatic exposures. It may be challenging for some people to discover their triggers, and for other people, it may be obvious. A counseling session with a psychologist or psychiatrist may be helpful. Diseases that cause unforeseen increased arousal can cause panic attacks. Diseases that increase heart rate or drop blood pressure suddenly may also trigger a panic attack.

Why do I only have anxiety attacks at night?

It is not known what causes nocturnal anxiety attacks. They can be a sign of a more comprehensive sleep disorder. If they persist, you should see a professional. Anxiety attacks at night are different from night terrors, however. Night terrors are when individuals experience fear-inducing dream states and may sleepwalk or even act out elements of his or her dream.

Questions your doctor may ask about anxiety attack

  • Are your symptoms causing difficulty at work, socializing, or spending time with friends & family?
  • Have you ever been diagnosed with a psychiatric issue, such as depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, or anxiety disorder?
  • Are there specific situations that cause your anxiety, or does it seem that almost anything will make you anxious?
  • Are you feeling irritable (easily made upset)?

Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.

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Once your story receives approval from our editors, it will exist on Buoy as a helpful resource for others who may experience something similar.
The stories shared below are not written by Buoy employees. Buoy does not endorse any of the information in these stories. Whenever you have questions or concerns about a medical condition, you should always contact your doctor or a healthcare provider.
Dr. Rothschild has been a faculty member at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He currently practices as a hospitalist at Newton Wellesley Hospital. In 1978, Dr. Rothschild received his MD at the Medical College of Wisconsin and trained in internal medicine followed by a fellowship in critical care medicine. He also received an MP...
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References

  1. Panic attack: Symptoms. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. ADAA Link
  2. Anxiety disorders. National Institute of Mental Health. Updated July 2018. NIMH Link
  3. McCann U. Anxiety and heart disease. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Johns Hopkins Medicine Link
  4. Nardi AE. Panic disorder is closely associated with respiratory obstructive illnesses. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2009;179(3). ATS Journals Link
  5. Sardinha A, Freire RC, Zin WA, Nardi AE. Respiratory manifestations of panic disorder: Causes, consequences and therapeutic implications. Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia. 2009;35(7):698-708. NCBI Link
  6. Bystritsky A, Khalsa SS, Cameron ME, Schiffman J. Current diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders. Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 2013;38(1):41-4, 57. NCBI Link