Anxiety too often becomes disruptive to life. It may also escalate into a panic attack that causes intense fear and sometimes may even cause worries that a heart attack is happening. The American Psychological Association notes that typical symptoms of panic disorders include "racing heartbeat, terror, difficulty breathing, shaking and chest pains." Panic attacks occur at about twice the rate in women as in men.
How Anxiety Disrupts Life
Anxiety disrupts life with intrusive thoughts that create negativity or fear. It also creates a surge of terror in the body that may cause a type of mental paralysis of being uncertain how to react or what to do. Anxiety symptoms may create problems with mental focus and thus may impact work productivity and personal relationships and may lessen inner peace.
Triggers of Panic Attacks
There are a myriad of triggers to panic attacks. Each patient may have unique events or memories that may suddenly trigger anxiety or a panic attack. There may also be a genetic link to panic attacks. Some typical triggers include: caffeine, medication, exercise and intrusive memories of an unpleasant experience. Panic attacks are usually unexpected, and an extreme amount of fear surges through the body. The attack usually ends in but a few minutes; however, more attacks may occur rapidly.
Treatment of Anxiety Symptoms and Panic Attacks
Treatment will include therapy and use of anti-anxiety medications such as Valium or Xanax. Patients will be encouraged to learn and use relaxation techniques and also perhaps meditation and yoga. Training will be given to help patients use techniques to become desensitized to their triggers for panic attacks. This may involve repeatedly discussing the event until it no longer serves as a traumatic trigger to panic. Patients may be encouraged to develop soothing rituals to alleviate anxiety such as going for a walk, talking to friends, deep breathing techniques and systemic relaxation of the muscles in the body.
