1. Differentiate Between Anxiety and Anxiety Attacks
Anxiety is a common and transient reaction to life's stressors. Whether it takes the form of worry about finances, fear about the future or a sense of impending doom, everybody experiences anxiety, but not everybody experiences the debilitating effects of an anxiety attack. Though no two people experience the symptoms in exactly the same way, there are some common physiological reactions that separate an anxiety attack from everyday anxiety.
Also known as panic attacks, these occur suddenly. Many people mistake the racing heart, dizziness, sweating, disorientation and nausea for a heart attack, especially if they've never experienced a panic attack before. The disorder can make a person feel trapped, both physically and mentally, causing a strong urge to "get away" or a sense of going insane. The suddenness and severity of these symptoms differentiates an anxiety attack from the generalized symptoms of everyday anxiety.
2. Rule out Side Effects of Medications
Before assuming that you're experiencing a panic attack, it's a good idea to look at the medications you're taking. Many medications have side effects that can mimic the symptoms of an panic attack. Ironically, some of the very medications used to treat panic disorders and depression, both of which are conditions that are frequently accompanied by anxiety attacks, can often cause panic-like symptoms. Other common culprits can be found in both over the counter and prescription drugs.
Many OTC cold and allergy medicines can cause dizziness, an increase in heart rate and an overall feeling of anxiety. Patients being treated for asthma, emphysema and other pulmonary conditions may experience similar side effects, as may patients taking trycyclic drugs and MAO-inhibitors for depression. Insulin, some blood pressure medicines and treatments for thyroid disorders have the added side effects of sweating and shortness of breath. All of these symptoms can be mistaken for the physical signs of anxiety attacks. If you're taking any of these medications and aren't experiencing any emotional symptoms of anxiety, it's very possible that your "anxiety attacks" are actually a reaction to your treatment.
3. Recognize Triggers of Anxiety Attacks
Though anxiety attacks often seem to come on suddenly, there are sometimes warnings that can help you spot the early symptoms. Known as triggers, the causes of anxiety attacks are vast, varied and not always obvious. Some people are biologically disposed to having anxiety attacks. If you have a relative who has them or if you're being treated for depression or an anxiety disorder, you're much more likely to experience unexpected panic attacks, those that occur without triggers. However, for many people the attacks are in reaction to a specific situation.
Noting what happened, what you ate and how you were feeling just prior to an anxiety attack can be helpful in recognizing future episodes. If, for example, you're afraid of crowds, you may note that your hands begin to sweat and shake when you're around lots of people. Other triggers are subtler and not always situational. Caffeine, vitamin deficiencies, low blood sugar and some types of infections can all cause panic attacks. Keeping track of unusual physical symptoms that follow a pattern can help you to remove yourself from, avoid or treat a trigger, all of which can potentially stave off anxiety attacks.
