How do anxiety attacks happen?

Let’s face it – we all get anxious at some point in our lives. Whether it’s before a big presentation or while waiting for your crush to text you back, anxiety can creep up on us when we least expect it. But what happens when that feeling of nervousness turns into a full-blown panic attack? Today, we’re exploring the science behind anxiety attacks and what exactly goes on in our bodies during these moments of intense fear.

Understanding Anxiety

Before delving into the nitty-gritty details of an anxiety attack, let’s take a step back and define what anxiety actually is. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), anxiety is defined as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” Essentially, anxiety is our body’s natural reaction to stress.

Fun fact: Did you know that human beings are not the only ones who experience anxiety? Dogs can also suffer from separation anxiety and social phobia!

While experiencing mild-to-moderate levels of anxiety can be relatively normal for most people, others may struggle with chronic or excessive levels of worry that interfere with their daily lives. This type of severe persistent worrying doesn’t come alone, and may result in various mental disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

What Causes Anxiety?

Unfortunately there isn’t necessarily one single answer about why someone experiences high levels of stress — however there are many factors involved including genetics, life experiences/traumas etc. Additionally certain neurotransmitters –- chemicals used by nerve cells to communicate messages throughout different parts within themselves — might ‘misbehave’ due to chemical imbalances occuring inside neural circuits conveying fear signals with experts still learning more about this seemingly sensitive dynamic across multiple regions let me catch my breath!

Other possible causes feeding someone’s anxiety include; stressful life events such as a relationship breakdown, financial troubles or overwhelming academic workloads to name but a few.

What is an Anxiety Attack?

Also known as panic attacks, anxiety attacks can be like the spawn of Satan both physically and emotionally. They’re sudden bursts of overwhelming fear that manifest in various physical sensations which could imitate those seen within heart disease symptoms including breathlessness, dizziness or difficulty breathing.

Symptoms of an Anxiety Attack

Some common signs/symptoms of an impending/recurring attack may include:

  • Increased heart rate (palpitations).
  • Rapid breathing/hyperventilation.
  • Feeling hot and/or sweating profusely.
  • Trembling and shaking!
    Sadly this makes you look like a nervous chihuahua rather than the calm cool collected human being you usually are!

As if that wasn’t enough.. here comes more symptoms:
– Nausea/vomiting.
– Tingling sensation in hands/feet – although this should come quite handy when one needs something heavy lifting huh? 😉
– Feeling dizzy/lightheaded
– Chest pain/discomfort .

It’s important to note for anyone experiencing any number(s) these ‘sensations’ all at once doesn’t necessarily suggest they have had /are having an anxiety attack. It’s always best seeking professional medical advice instead trying to self diagnose oneself using Doctor Google /simply ignoring it completely .

How Long Does An Anxiety Attack Last?

Panic attacks usually last no longer than around twenty minutes with some even lasting mere seconds while others up-to-an-hour maximum — (awkward much)! Although long-lasting episodes aren’t common they can take place with severe cases. Recurring panics create greater risk of developing chronic conditions thus avoiding them entirely by utilizing treatments/medication etc., is highly advised.

What Triggers An Anxiety Attack?

Triggers will vary between individuals, but they may often occur during events or experiences that the brain considers stressful or potentially dangerous. Some common triggers of anxiety attacks include:

1. Traumatic Experiences:

People who have experienced traumatic events, such as abuse or natural disasters or extreme forms of bullying (as kids, perhaps?) tend to be more prone becoming succumbed by panic attacks/anxiety.

It is also pertinent mention here interestingly: Panic Disorder with agoraphobia involving a limited life circumstance has been associated with chronic infections from pathogens such as Chlamydia pneumoniae for research purposes

2. Life Changes:

Moving houses/jobs/relationship status changes can all trigger anxious feelings..Oh and let’s not forget global pandemics!

3. Phobias:

Phobias are an overwhelming fear toward something specific! Common phobias range from fear of spiders/snakes/public speaking/flying/new circumstances/day-to-day activities usually perceived as mundane etc.

Interestingly some people suffer from irrational phobia(s) consisting necessary rituals like checking repeatedly if they locked the door before leaving home frequently due to OCD and again this should be given professional treatment.

The Science Behind Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety attacks cause our bodies to enter what’s known as “fight-or-flight mode.” In other words — your nervous system senses a potential threat which instinctively prepares us for attack by releasing adrenaline hormones into our bloodstream in order to boost heart rate/blood pressure amongst other releases thus enabling faster response times.
During these acute episodes certain regions inside the human brain hijack reasoning logic portions creating further sense equivalent to those you might find at being under actual imminent danger requiring immediate action plan which needs intricate navigation skills required rapidly!

Now my friends it doesn’t end there….this fighter /flighter mechanism will continue until the ‘perceived’ threat dissipates resulting in calmness returning…hopefully..

How Are Anxiety Attacks Treated?

There are various options available to treat anxiety attacks, but treatment will differ between patients depending on severity of their situation. Treatment may involve therapy including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), medication or both.

1. Lifestyle Changes:

Making little tweaks in daily life can lead to significant changes in general well-being methods could include;

  • Regular exercise
  • reducing drinking/eliminating smoking from routines
  • Getting enough sleep/rest

2. Medication:

Anxieties respond well to medications prescribed by the healthcare professionals best suited for different kinds of anxieties including antidepressants and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SSRI/NRIs .

Although beneficial as they may be — these types of medication carry potential side effects thus must always be monitored/guided by trained medical professionals while being consumed..

Conclusion: Be Good To Yourself & Find A Support System That Works!

So with this my unlikely friends AKA readers we’ve dived into some interesting scientific observations around Anxiety Attacks – I hope you found it informative yet not too heavy – ready?; “Cue fireworks & fabulous finale music”!

Whilst living through a pandemic is invariably tough at present resulting in more people falling prey to the endless cycle(s) inducing worry times panic hence its crucial we all take care our mental health properly such that if one find themselves struggling with any level of anxiety..please do yourself a big favour/ reach out/don’t hesitate- because even Baby Yoda comes alive/shows interest when chatting about problems affecting us!

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