Understanding The Symptoms Of Anxiety And Panic Attacks
Anxiety and panic disorders are often chronic illnesses that can be very disabling and disruptive to normal activities. They are real medical problems that affect physical, emotional, and mental health of a person. Most of the time, they can be successfully treated.
Today this disorders are becoming more and more common. Our modern society with its fast pace and pressures to perform is no doubt heavily responsible for it. It is estimated that anxiety and panic disorders affect at least fifteen million Americans.
We all experience anxiety from time to time. It’s a normal part of human experience, part of a flight or fight response, that helps us to cope with stressful situations. Normal anxiety is normal, but when it becomes excessive, exaggerated and uncontrollable part of everyday life, then we have a problem.
Signs and symptoms vary from person to person. Some may experience extreme attacks that strike without warning, some have a disabling fear of driving, others get panicky when socializing or being in a crowded space, and others live in a constant state of tension and fear. All have one thing in common: severe fear or phobia in situations where most people would be fine.
There are many symptoms, some of the most common include: raging heartbeat, chest pain, fear of dying, shortness of breath, stomach ache, nausea, lightheadedness, shaking, cramping, fear of going crazy, tingling, numbness, hot flashes, derealisation (a sense of unreality), depersonalisation (feeling unreal, strange or changed), and feeling like you’re going to pass out just to name a few.
What causes this disorders? They are caused by biological, psychological and environmental factors. Brain chemistry, personality, genetics and stressful environment all contribute to their development.
Anxiety disorders can be very disabling, leading not only to poor mental health but also to a lower quality of life. Remember, however, that most times they can be successfully treated. Don’t suffer in silence and don’t be embarrassed to seek advice.