Is crying a symptom of an anxiety attack?

Anxiety attacks are often portrayed in movies and TV shows as someone hyperventilating and sweating, but is crying also a symptom of an anxiety attack? The short answer is yes, it can be. But let’s dive deeper into the subject in true humorous fashion.

What is Anxiety?

Before we get to whether or not crying is a symptom of an anxiety attack, we need to understand what anxiety actually is. The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” Essentially, it’s when you feel excessively worried or stressed out about something.

A History Lesson on Anxiety

Believe it or not folks (I know you do), people have been dealing with varying degrees of anxiousness for centuries. Ancient Greeks would deal with their stress by drinking herbal remedies made from chamomile leaves while medieval English men would alleviate their worries by drinking wine infused with lavender oil (sounds boujee).

Today we have medication like Xanax and activities such as yoga that help combat the feeling swirls up deep inside our bellies.

Symptoms Of An Anxiety Attack

Now that we know exactly what anxieties feels like let’s discuss some common symptoms that come along with having an anxiety attack:

  • Rapid heart rate
  • Chest tightening
  • Uncontrolled fear
  • Nausea
  • Short breathings sips (YES I said this right)

And Now…Cry Me A River!

One important thing to note here before diving in further: different people experience different things during panic attacks. While crying during a panic attack isn’t uncommon there may be those won’t shed any tears at all even when they spiral upwards into despair.#stoic

However for many people tears tend flow freely especially when they’re overcome by intense emotions(get your tissues ready). Crying can be a sign of fear, frustration and panic making it possible to go hand-in-hand with an episode.

But How Often Does It Happen?

While crying isn’t listed specifically as a symptom for anxiety disorders & panic attacks… people shed tears enough that many clinicians witnessed the event in their clinical experience—one study conducted by the University Of South Florida demonstrated that at least 30% of those with Generalized Anxiety Disorder report episodes of crying while having an episode.

So if you are feeling anything like this (cue dramatic music) take a moment squeeze some lemon juice into your water bottle (just kidding please don’t) and let’s talk about what we can do about it.

Coping Mechanisms

If you’re somebody who finds themselves experiencing anxiety attacks on a regular basis, there are things that may help mitigate both physical and emotional symptoms:

Option One: Do nothing—sorry what?! (Fight or Flight Baby)

This is also referred to as the “wait-it-out” technique where you choose to do absolutely nothing until the attack subsides. While choosing one doesn’t exactly sound effective there could be times when it’s better than forcing yourself out into society only perpetuate your bad mood.

Exercise To Help With Nervousness

Going for walks around your neighborhood, jogging at night under streetlights or taking up yoga classes all helps reduce homocysteine levels in our bloodstream—this chemical compound causes feelings of being nervous so inactive lifestyle would rightly lead us closer towards anxiousness. If exercise isn’t really within wheelhouse looking up more information on aromatherapy won’t hurt either.

A good whiff off essential oils such lavender oil casn calm down anyone, even if they’re surrounded by hordes of obnoxious first-year interns at work.

Self-Love

Psychological therapies have aids the journey back from daily phenomena such as trauma, self-esteem issuesness among others to those with acute disorders like anxiety and depression.

Respect yourself, celebrate each of your milestones (no matter how small they are), have a positive outlook. These things can all add up help you ward off anxiety over time

Wrapping It Up with Anxious Bow-Ties

In conclusion, crying during an anxiety attack isn’t uncommon but it is NOT JUST regulated to that alone; everyone experiences panic attacks differently so it’s important not to compare yourself just because other peoples symptoms may seem worse than our own. While medication is available for extreme cases of anxiousness or therapy sessions also make great investments in combating feelings of stress BUT ALSO copious amounts of TLC (and possibly a walking regimen) would do the trick.

So take care everybody (cue Oprah accent)!

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