Explaining Anxiety or Panic Attacks - By: Roberta Dunbar

Anxiety or panic attacks are sudden periods of intense anxiety, fear and discomfort. While these attacks might seem to happen for no reason, they're actually the body's response to what it perceives as the need for fight or flight.

The attacks usually last about ten minutes, but can be as short as one minute. In severe cases, these attacks can happen in cycles. These cycles may last for extended periods. These cycles can cause anticipation anxiety between episodes.

Physical symptoms of anxiety attacks generally include shortness of breath, heart palpitations and sweating. Tingling and numbness in the extremities, dizziness, light headedness, headaches and nausea are also commonly experienced. These may appear to be random, but they're actually the result of the body's preparations for protection.

The anxiety attack is brought on by a sudden onset of fear. In response, the body releases adrenaline followed by increases in the heart and breathing rate and production of sweat (to regulate body temperature). These actions prepare the body for the physical activities of fighting or escaping. Because the anticipated strenuous activity rarely follows the panic attack, these reactions result in physical discomfort.

The increased heart rate is felt as heart palpitations. Rapid breathing (hyperventilation) results in a drop in carbon dioxide levels in the lungs and blood. This leads to the tingling, numbness, dizziness and light headedness. The adrenaline causes a narrowing of the blood vessels which results in less blood flow to the head. This also contributes to the light headedness and headaches.

Anxiety is a physiological state causing feelings of fear, apprehension and worry. These feelings are as common as happiness and joy. Studies are suggesting anxiety is a protective mechanism. It could be our body's way of warning us against participation in potentially harmful situations.

Sigmund Freud said anxiety was a signal of danger which results in physical defensive behaviors. These defensive behaviors are meant to enable our bodies to overcome whatever danger is threatening us. He believed we get these anxious feelings from traumatic experiences, and then reinforce the feelings through classical conditioning.

When we see or feel something we associate with a previous traumatic experience, we feel a resurgence of the anxiety these situations caused. Emotionally, we feel a sense of panic or extreme dread. Voluntary and involuntary behavior urges us to escape. But if we just avoid or run away from these situations without dealing with the anxiety, we reinforce this urge to escape. This just results in even more anxious feelings the next time this situation is encountered.

Mainstream treatment generally consists of a combination of prescription medications and referral to a cognitive behavioral therapist. This treatment method is often met with controversy. Some studies show this combination is more effective than either method alone, while other studies have shown that the majority of patients gain more benefits from the medications and very little from the behavioral treatments.

The best treatment may depend on the genetics of the individual sufferer as well as environmental factors. Working closely with a counselor, psychiatrist or therapist will aid in determining the best treatment methods.

About the Author

If you want to learn how to end your anxiety attacks visit the website below. Click Here! Feel better, Roberta Dunbar

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