Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms - including panic attacks
Anxiety disorder can be best described as a persistent feeling of anxiety or worry that is disproportionate to it's causes. For example, as a someone who suffers from generalized anxiety disorder myself, I would experience a full-blown panic attack from having used milk in my cereal that was close to or on it's expiration date. It's also important to understand that the source of anxiety can be different for each person. Generalized Anxiety Disorder also tends to be connected with depression, both very debilitating and painful disorders.
GAD often manifests itself physically as well as mentally. Physical symptoms include headaches, fatigue, irritability, increased heart rate, shakiness, and hot flashes. the most extreme of these physical symptoms is a panic attack.
Panic attacks
Panic attacks are one of the most terrifying symptoms of anxiety, which causes it's victim to have seemingly near-death experiences. Panic attacks can also lead many to think they are actually dying and if it's your first panic attack it often leads to a 911 call and ER visit.
When I have a panic attack, my heart will start beating very fast - almost sporadically, my hands will be shaking and a buzzing will occur in my ear. I have often had visual hallucinations during an attack, such as the walls of the room closing in, my vision will blur and it will be very hard to gage distances. One of the constants in my panic attacks is a feverish feeling overtaking my body, a hot flash with tingling in my head.
The most infuriating aspect of panic attacks and anxiety in general, is not knowing what is "real" or not. Are you having a heart attack or is it just a panic attack. Fear and uncertainty feed the panic attack and prolongs the anxiety, thus creating a cycle of anxiety which can lead to a sense of imprisonment to the source of anxiety.
Some other symptoms of a panic attack are:
* dramatic increase in heartbeats, racing heart or palpitations
* chest pains
* feelings of terror or doom
* Fear of dying
* weakness in body and muscles
* Dizziness or fatigue
* Tingling or numbness, particularly in hands and feet
* Hot and cold sweats
* Breathing troubles
* Feeling a loss of control
The good thing is that there are medications and treatments that have proven to be effective in eliminating the symptoms of anxiety, including panic attacks. Use the links below to find out more about anxiety treatments.
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