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How to control an anxiety attack

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

The statistics on anxiety in the population speak for themselves since, according to studies on this disorder, 10 percent of the population has suffered it at some time in their life and 5 percent repeatedly with different levels of frequency and intensity.

In the event that an anxiety crisis has been suffered and overcome due to any special circumstance, it is not necessary to go to the doctor. On the contrary, if it is suffered on a regular basis or occurs for no apparent reason affecting daily life, it is advisable to go to the doctor. The specialist may make a diagnosis, as well as prescribe some type of medication, if he deems it appropriate, or refer the case to other more specific specialists.

In any case and given that it is essential to know, a priori, the importance of preventing, identifying and controlling anxiety, then in this FastlyHealarticle, we will present a series of recommendations on how to control an anxiety attack .

Causes of anxiety attacks

There are many possible causes of an anxiety attack and sometimes it can occur out of fear of a situation that is normal to cause this reaction, but other times it can occur because there is an exaggerated reaction or overreaction to a situation to which, in reality, it is not possible. it is necessary to give so much importance. It is usually in the latter case when the seizures recur more frequently and, therefore, it is necessary to go to the doctor to treat the problem. Regardless of the type of anxiety attacks they are, the most common causes of these are the following:

  • Important or crucial events or situations.
  • Drinking too much coffee or tea
  • Consuming stimulant drugs.
  • Stop taking medications. For example, stopping taking medications to treat anxiety or depression suddenly, without a readjustment ordered by the doctor.
  • Suffering from high or continuous stress.
  • Diseases
  • Finally, there is a factor of genetics and family history.

Symptoms of an anxiety attack or crisis

Knowing the symptoms of an anxiety attack is essential to detect the crisis early. Thus, among the signs of this problem we find the following:

Physiological symptoms of an anxiety attack

  • Tachycardia or increased heart rate (palpitations) and therefore high blood pressure.
  • Muscle tension, tremors, or shaking.
  • Cold or hot sweat and therefore feeling chills or flushing.
  • Sensation of pressure in the chest .
  • Feeling of shortness of breath or choking.
  • Abdominal discomfort, nausea.
  • Vertigo or dizziness
  • Hyperventilation as a consequence of increased respiratory rate.
  • Fainting and loss of consciousness due to hyperventilation.
  • Muscle seizure, especially in the extremities.
  • Tingling sensation in hands and feet, numbness.

Cognitive or motor symptoms of an anxiety attack

  • Hyperactivity
  • Difficulty expressing yourself verbally and / or stuttering.
  • Motor paralysis.
  • Worry and insecurity.
  • Feeling of loss of control
  • Clumsy or uncontrolled movements.
  • Fear of one’s own symptoms, as it can be mistaken for a heart attack or suffocation.

How to manage an anxiety attack

If you were wondering how to control an anxiety attack , you have already seen that it is very important to recognize well what its symptoms are in order to differentiate this problem from others with some similar symptoms. Once the anxiety crisis is identified, a series of guidelines must be followed to control it, calm down and feel good again:

  • Be aware that it is a state of abnormal nervousness and that, therefore, the fear response is disproportionate.
  • Thinking that it is not a heart attack or suffocation and that your health is fine. In this way, you can calm down and eliminate anxiety about symptoms.
  • Controlling your breathing will mitigate hyperventilation and, consequently, the sensations you experience and your fear of them.
  • To control breathing, you have to get into a comfortable position, either standing or sitting, putting one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. Begin to breathe as you normally do when you are calm, inhale through the nose until the air reaches the lower part of the lungs, noting how the hand placed on the abdomen rises, and then perceive how the hand rises above the chest, retain the air for a few seconds and release it gently, noticing how the lungs empty and the hands descend. It is advisable to repeat the exercise until you experience optimal relaxation .
  • As your breathing rate recovers, it is essential to pay attention to the positive changes you are experiencing and motivate yourself with the idea that your health is fine.
  • If it is someone else who is suffering from the anxiety attack and needs our help, you have to capture their attention and make them understand that they are having a crisis. Remind you not to fear for your health, help you control your breathing, and let you see your progress in improving your symptoms. Throughout the process, it is very important to motivate and reinforce the person.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to How to control an anxiety attack , we recommend that you enter our category of Mental disorders .

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