What Is an Anxiety Attack?

What Is an Anxiety Attack?

An anxiety attack is a sudden and intense episode of fear and anxiety. Anxiety attacks can occur unexpectedly for no apparent reason, but they can also be linked to specific triggers. 

“Anxiety attack” is not a formal, clinical term. Many often use the term colloquially to describe all sorts of anxious responses.

People may use it to describe a range of sensations, from worries about an upcoming event to intense feelings of fear that would meet the diagnostic criteria for a panic attack. In order to understand what someone means by “anxiety attack,” it is necessary to consider the context in which the symptoms occur.

Symptoms of an Anxiety Attack

Symptoms of an anxiety attack can vary. Some people may only experience a few mild symptoms of anxiety, while others may experience a wider variety of more intense symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Apprehension
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty sleeping
• Dry mouth
• Irritability
• Lightheadedness
• Headache
• Muscle tension
• Nausea
• Rapid heart rate
• Shaking
• Sweating
• Tightness in the chest and throat
• Trouble concentrating
• Worry

Anxiety Attack vs. Panic Attack

Have you ever experienced an intense feeling of terror, fear, or apprehension for no apparent reason? If so, you may have experienced a panic attack.

Panic attacks can feel confusing and scary for the person experiencing them in that they are usually sudden and accompanied by extremely intense physical sensations. Their heart may race, and they may feel disoriented and shakey. Nausea, dry mouth, chest pain, and dizziness are also common.

A panic attack is not dangerous, but the symptoms are often confused with serious medical conditions. Sometimes, a person may feel like they are having a heart attack or dying.

Because panic attack symptoms overlap with symptoms of certain severe conditions, it is essential to rule out any medical causes.

A panic attack and an anxiety attack differ in terms of how long they last. Panic attacks are typically briefer, lasting somewhere between 10 and 20 minutes. The feelings associated with an anxiety attack can last longer. They may begin gradually and may last for hours or days.

Diagnosis of an Anxiety Attack

If you are experiencing anxiety symptoms, your first step may be to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may conduct lab tests to rule out any medical conditions that might be causing or contributing to your symptoms. If there is no medical cause, your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional for further evaluation.

Because an anxiety attack is not a formal diagnosis, you may be diagnosed with a type of anxiety disorder such as panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, depending on your symptoms. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms to determine a diagnosis based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) criteria.

Causes of Anxiety Attacks

The exact causes of anxiety are not known, but it is likely that a variety of factors play a role. An anxiety attack can be triggered by anxiety disorders, perceived threats, or certain situations.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety attacks may be the result of certain anxiety disorders. Each of these has a specific set of symptoms. These conditions can also have different causes or can be triggered by certain situations.

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): This condition is marked by unrealistic and excessive worry without a specific cause. 
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): This condition involves intrusive obsessions and compulsions that are difficult to control and lead to significant distress.
• Panic disorder: This condition is marked by sudden panic attacks that can hit with no warning.
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD): This condition involves excessive self-consciousness and fear of social situations. 
• Specific phobias: This type of phobia is marked by an intense and excessive fear of a specific object or situation.

Perceived Threats

Anxiety can be a response to an imprecise or unknown threat. For example, imagine you're walking alone down a dark street. You may feel a little uneasy, and perhaps you have a few butterflies in your stomach. This type of "anxiety attack" is related to the possibility that there might be a danger that poses you harm.

This anxiety is not the result of a known or specific threat. Instead, it comes from your mind's vision of the possible dangers that may result in the situation. The symptoms you are experiencing are typical and even beneficial.

Specific Situations

Sometimes, what people call "anxiety attacks" are actually normal reactions to life experiences that make us anxious. These experiences can include things such as:

• Becoming a parent
• Changing jobs
• Coping with illness
• Financial worries
• Death of a loved one
• Getting divorced
• Getting married
• Parenting and family pressures
• Public speaking
• Relationship conflict
• Taking a school exam
• Work-related stress

Such situations can cause feelings that can range from normal anxiety (which may often be beneficial) to an anxiety attack. This anxiety might be temporary, but it can still be upsetting and can interfere with your ability to perform in certain situations (such as giving a speech). If situational anxiety attacks make it difficult to cope, seeking treatment can be helpful

Treatment for Anxiety Attacks

Effective anxiety treatments are available. These treatments can be used to treat a diagnosed anxiety disorder, but they can also be helpful for reducing general feelings of anxiety as well.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy focuses on changing anxious thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. There are many different types of psychotherapy, but cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are two of the most frequently used.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy is an approach that involves identifying the automatic negative thought patterns that are associated with feelings of anxiety. Once these have been identified, people then learn to actively challenge such thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones.
• Exposure therapy is an approach that can be effective when treating certain types of anxiety, particularly specific phobias. People are gradually exposed to a feared object or situation while practicing relaxation techniques. Eventually, the source of their fear becomes less frightening.

Medications

Some medications can be useful for treating symptoms of anxiety. These include:

• Benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Lexapro (escitalopram) and Zoloft (sertraline)
• Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Effexor XR (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine)

Coping

If you are experiencing anxiety attacks, various coping strategies and lifestyle modifications may also help. These include:

• Adequate sleep: Sleep can have a major impact on your mental well-being, and lack of sleep can sometimes play a role in worsening feelings of anxiety.
• Deep breathing: Shallow breathing during an anxiety attack can increase heart rate and make it more difficult to remain calm. Practice deep breathing techniques to help keep your breathing and heart rate under control when you are coping with feelings of stress and anxiety.
• Meditation: Meditation can be a great way to practice focusing on your breathing and staying centered in the moment. Meditative techniques have also been shown to have some usefulness for reducing symptoms of anxiety. Start by practicing for 10 minutes a day. If you need help, consider trying a guided audio meditation or a mobile meditation app.
• Regular exercise: Exercise has long been known to have both physical and mental health benefits. Research has also found that exercise can be an effective option for reducing symptoms of anxiety. 
• Support: Social support can play a critical role in mental health and well-being. Anxiety can often be an isolating experience, so seeking the support of friends and family can be helpful. Another idea is to join an anxiety support group.

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A Word From Verywell

A person may experience a panic attack once or even a few times during their lives and may never develop an anxiety disorder. Since the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks may mimic many other medical and psychological disorders, however, it is important to review your symptoms with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Anxiety attacks can be frightening, but it is important to remember that they are often normal reactions to difficult situations. If your symptoms of anxiety are frequent or are making it difficult to function normally, talk to your doctor. Effective treatments are available and there are also many self-help strategies that you might find helpful.