Some people who suffer with severe anxiety or GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), often know what will trigger an anxiety attack while others realize that an anxiety attack may occur for no reason at all. Anxiety can be debilitating at times for people who experience the physical warning signs. Knowing the warning signs of an attack before it happens may help you utilize breathing techniques, medication or relaxation skills to combat the symptoms.
Chest Tightness
Chest tightness at the onset of an anxiety attack can sometimes be confused with a cardiac emergency. The chest tightness is actually the muscles in the chest tightening due to stress and muscle tension. The chest tightness can feel so intense that some suffers may begin to hyperventilate. The chest tightness and discomfort in the chest is generally short lasting and dissipates once the anxiety has passed.
Irregular Heartbeat
One of the warning signs of an impending anxiety attack can be a change in heart rate or rhythm. The mere experience of this change can be enough to trigger a full blown anxiety attack. Someone may feel like her heart has skipped beats, contains an extra beat, is beating rapidly or is pounding in the chest. The change in heart rate is likely caused from a surge and release of adrenaline in the body.
Light Headedness
Some anxiety sufferers report they feel light headed or even dizzy, before and during an anxiety attack. This could be caused from an increase of blood flow to the brain or the fear of another impending attack. Unlike someone who is going to faint from dizziness or light headedness, she is likely have a drop in blood pressure or a temporary interruption of oxygen. The anxiety sufferer likely has an increase in blood pressure and increase in blood flow to the brain.
Racing Thoughts
When someone experiences anxiety as one warning sign, she may also experience racing thoughts. This could be due to her inability to control her anxiety and the fear of it taking over her body. Anxiety can produce feelings of fear, instability and losing control. Stress factors or previous traumatic events may also resurface at this time. Practicing slow breathing techniques and mental relaxation may help curb these thoughts.
Sweating
If someone is experiencing a full-blown anxiety attack with a myriad of symptoms, the anxiety can quickly escalate. It is important to implement breathing and visual techniques to help curb the anxiety levels. Sometimes, excessive sweating can occur. This is caused by a temporary increase in body temperature and is often a clear visible sign that someone is experiencing a bout of anxiety.
