Anxiety disorder is a condition where the body senses immediate danger or harm---even if there is no clear sign that there is present danger. Anxiety attacks are generally caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain where the body is forced into fight or flight mode or response. In reality, the fight or flight response mechanism triggers to save humans from attack, harm and invasion. For example, if a grizzly bear suddenly appeared and began to attack---adrenaline would flow through the blood stream and the major organs would accumulate the most blood---leaving the extremities numb but providing a jolt of adrenaline to get through the situation. Symptoms of anxiety can range from moderate to severe---depending on the person.
Heart Palpitations
One of the most common symptoms of severe anxiety are heart palpitations. Heart palpitations generally mean that the heart rate increases significantly; sometimes without warning. Those with an anxiety disorder or severe anxiety may experience a heart beat well over 100 beats per minute. Sometimes he or she may feel a fluttering or series of skipped beats in between the racing beats. Generally, these are not dangerous and will pass once the anxiety attack is over. It is wise to have an initial examination by a physician to rule out any underlying heart condition the first time these symptoms appear.
Irregular Breathing
Another strong sign of a current or upcoming anxiety attack is irregular breathing patterns. A strong tightness in the chest or a feeling of weight across the front or back of the chest are symptoms of severe anxiety. Tightness can also lead to irregular breathing patterns. Lightheadedness, rapid heart rate or skipped heartbeats can also trigger erratic breathing patterns. Hyperventilation or rapid breathing are common signs of severe anxiety and can be reduced by breathing into a paper bag or relaxing in a quiet space to slow breathing down.
Vision Disturbances
Someone who suffers from severe anxiety may also experience vision disturbances. This could be blurred, double or tunnel vision. Tunnel vision is a common symptom of very severe anxiety. When blood flow has increased more to the brain, heart and lungs---the eyes may begin to develop tunnel vision. This is a scary yet perfectly normal process the body goes through during extreme fright situations. Once the person relaxes and the anxiety attack subsides---vision will return to normal.
Muscle Weakness
Muscle weakness is a sign and symptom of severe anxiety. This again is due to the increased blood flow to the three major organs; lungs, heart and brain. Some people have an additional fear of falling or being unable to walk or move because of the numbness or loss of feeling in the legs. In fact because of the increased adrenaline flow and with the heart and lungs pumping harder and faster---the body can actually handle walking, even running to safety or shelter. Once the adrenaline dissipates and the anxiety attack subsides---the body returns back to normal.
Dreadful Thoughts
Some people with severe anxiety issues often have depression or dreadful thoughts. This could be an array of things such as fear or thoughts of dying, going crazy, hurting someone or themselves, fear of being watched or observed and thoughts and fears of another anxiety or panic attack. To help eliminate or reduce these thoughts---telling oneself over and over that this is just anxiety and nothing more---often help in making the thoughts more bearable or able to disappear. If thoughts do not subside within 24 hours, medical help should be sought.
