What is an Anxiety Attack?

“Anxiety attack” is one of the most misused and misunderstood psychological terms.  Many people use the term to describe feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, but for the 6 million American adults who suffer from panic disorder, an anxiety attack is something much more paralyzing. Anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks, are episodes of intense fear or panic that last for 10-30 minutes and are characterized by:

• Feelings of going crazy or losing control
• Heart palpitations
• Difficult breathing/ hyperventilation
• Hot flashes/chills
• Feeling like you’re going to faint
• Choking sensations
• Nausea or stomach pain
• Feelings of detachment/ “out of body” feeling
• Shaking/ sweaty hands

These are some of the criteria of an anxiety or panic attack, and they differ from person to person. Although some panic attacks have specific triggers, like elevators or public places, most come out of the blue and without any warning. People describe panic attacks as terrifying and some think they’re having a heart attack. You can see then, that most people who experience a panic attack go on to fear they will experience another one, and sometimes this can become a big problem.
If you have experienced a panic attack, or know someone who has, it’s important to get to a therapist who can help reduce your anxiety symptoms and help deal with or eliminate these panic attacks. Here are some tips for dealing with an anxiety attack, although you should consult with a therapist to create a plan that’s right for you.

• Practice deep breathing
• Take some slow sips of cool water
• Talk to someone you can trust
• Stop the anxious thoughts and replace them with happier ones
• Remind yourself that this is a panic attack and you are not in any real danger
• If possible, try walking around
• Listen to music, or try an activity that calms you down