An anxiety panic attack can be sudden and seem to come without any warning. They can be terribly upsetting and frightening. Sufferers report that they sense a surging feeling of fear and terror wash all over them.
Symptoms of an attack also include a rapid pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pains and obsessive thoughts of embarrassment, fear and worry. Dread and fear of something bad happening is a common symptom too.
Sufferers of anxiety disorders such as agoraphobia are more susceptible to panic attacks. Although many sufferers of agoraphobia can go about their daily lives, there are some who have great difficulty in dealing with everyday life.
People who suffer from agoraphobia have a fear of embarrassing themselves in a situation where they cannot readily escape. They fear that they might experience an anxiety panic attack and lose control.
It can be difficult to understand why attacks occur however they are usually the body's own stress response system being activated. Back thousands of years ago when humans were hunting and gathering, this response system was man's most powerful weapon.
The stress response triggers the adrenal glands releasing adrenaline and cortisol. The hunter would be ready to either run or fight his attacker. Through the ages the human brain function has changed little
The stress response has been blamed as a cause for many mental illnesses, but it does still play an important role in life. The argumentation is that the fight of flight response is frequently and unnecessarily activated.
It’s not likely that you’re going to be hunted down by a lion but it could save you from a thief or a dangerous situation. The negative is that excessive production of hormones such as adrenaline can be damaging for the mind and body. And this can lead to mental illnesses.
Anxiety disorders such as agoraphobia make life difficult to manage. Severe cases can be hard to overcome but they are treatable. Moreover, therapies like hypnosis and CBT are effective at treating panic symptoms anxiety panic attacks.
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