what's anxiety or an anxiety attack?
446855
Hi, I know all too well about anxiety. I have generalized anxiety disorder, which means I am always on edge and find it very hard to relax and am always tense. I do take medication for this and it helps. There are different types of anxiety and everyone experiences some at one point in there life. Panic attacks(anxiety attacks) which are linked to anxiety, is having "a fight or flight" feeling, you may get a fast heartrate, sweat, feel disoriented, confused. etc. Adrenaline gets into your body and at times you may feel like "your dying", it is a very unpleasant feeling, however, there is medication like SSRI's (the newer anti depressants, and "nerve pills", which calm you down), though these medications should be prescribed my a reputable doctor and taken exactly as prescribed, also exercise helps a lot.\nHope this helps.
952171
You can go to the doctor and explain it to him or her. They will prescribe medicine for it. A friend of mine takes some anxiety meds and it makes her feel more at ease.
480218
I think you are experiencing anxiety.
532790
This could actually be an illness and they need psychological help.  I have had problems in the past with worrying and it was anxiety that needed treatment.  Stress can hurt a person physically.
858732
anxiety is commonly seen with disorders such as depression, substance abuse or eating disorders. Anxiety may be a reaction to a traumatic event, or may also arise from emotional distress. Recent research on the structure and chemistry of the human brain point out that varying forms of anxiety are probably genetic. Having an anxiety disorder does NOT make you a weaker person - any individual can develop anxiety, given the right "mix" of genetics and life circumstances.\n\nWhat are the symptoms of anxiety?\nIndividuals who are feeling anxious report many physical symptoms, such as:\n\nstomach tribulations (gnawing feeling, "butterflies," diarrhea, irritated bowel syndrome) \nbreaking out in a sweat, or feeling cold and clammy \nhasty or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)) \nheadaches, feeling faint or dizziness \nfatigue \naches or bodily cramps \nAdditional symptoms of anxiety can be more emotional, such as: \na general sense of apprehension and dread \njumpiness \nirritation \ntrouble going asleep or staying asleep
774405
Something is causing your anxiety.  Speak to your doctor.  Medical or mental, help is available.
176565
Depends.  If you have generalized anxiety...like just being worried all the time, therapy should help...and you won't need medication. \nIf you have what I have, which is anxiety disorder w/panic attacks...see a psyc who can give you meds in conjunction with therapy.  I've always been a worry wart...but over the past year I've had quite a few actual panic attacks...that are very scary when you first have them.  I can be sitting, doing absolutely nothing...not worrying about anything..and withing 5 mins be shaking, feel like I can't breath, lightheaded, dizzy, a absolutely terrified...for No reason.  That's a true panic attack.  Of course, stressful situations don't help...but usually I don't even have attacks in those situations.  At this point...I can feel when one is coming on, know I'm not dying, and pop 1/2 a xanax.  It's so helpful when you have the true attacks.  If I didn't have meds, I would sometimes pass out from the fear of the attack itself.  Get some help accordingly :)  Good luck!
980563
Well it can affect your relationship by basically keeping you away from those who care for you. Generally speaking; when one is suffering an anxiety attack they want to be along. Closing out others isn't deliberate action; but a way of cooping with the attack. Its very much so a challenge to be around others when you may be sweating, your palms are wet, shortage of breath, crazy thoughts of panic, etc. I've had anxiety attacks and people thought I was on drugs. Well that's a hard pill to swallow. However; there was a time I had someone in my corner when I had an attack and I was the better person with them right there with me.
834858
I have anxiety attacks when I start to drink. What I do when I get them is put my head in the freezer or if cold outside I go out and breath slowly in & out. That's what helps me get rid of the attack. It's not a quick fix but it helps. You need to see if your doctor can help ya. He can put you on a medication so when it happens it won't be so bad. You might even need anti-depressants if they accure often. Hope this was helpful. Good luck!
965193
Panic Disorders are repeated episodes of intense fear that strike often and without warning. Physical symptoms include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal distress, feelings of unreality, and fear of dying. \nGeneralized Anxiety Disorders are constant, exaggerated worrisome thoughts and tension about everyday routine life events and activities, lasting at least six months. Almost always anticipating the worst even though there is little reason to expect it; accompanied by physical symptoms, such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headache, or nausea. \n\nYes you can have symptoms even when you aren't aware of feeling stressed.  For more info go to the National Institute for Mental Health website at nimhinfo@nih.gov.  And see your doctor.  There are simple treatments  to take and lifestyle changes you can make to prevent them from recurring.
993744
IT COULD BE STRESS OR ANXIETY
234980
People often feel very anxious during a heart attack. Yes, the blood pressure and heart rate definitely can go up.
1009067
Most sufferers of panic attacks report a fear of dying, "going crazy", or losing control of emotions or behavior. These feelings generally provoke a strong urge to escape or flee the place where the attack began ("fight or flight" reaction) and, when associated with chest pain or shortness of breath, a feeling of impending doom and/or tunnel vision, frequently result in the sufferer seeking medical attention.\n\nThe panic attack is distinguished from other forms of anxiety by its intensity and its sudden, episodic nature. Panic attacks are often experienced by sufferers of anxiety disorders and other psychological conditions involving anxiety, though panic attacks are not always indicative of a mental disorder, nor are they uncommon. Up to 10 percent of otherwise healthy people experience an isolated panic attack per year, and 1 in 60 people in the U.S. will suffer from a panic disorder at some point in their lifetime.\n\nPeople with phobias will often experience panic attacks as a direct result of exposure to their trigger. These panic attacks are usually short-lived and self-limiting, as they will subside once the trigger no longer present.\n\nIn conditions of chronic anxiety, one panic attack can roll into another, leading to nervous exhaustion over a period of days.\n[edit]\n\nSymptoms\n\nThe symptoms of a panic attack appear suddenly, without any apparent cause. They may include:\n\n    * Racing or pounding heartbeat or palpitations\n    * Sweating\n    * Chest pain/PVCs\n    * Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea\n    * Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)\n    * Tingling or numbness in the hands, face, feet or mouth\n    * A sudden feeling that everything around the person represents a threat. This can cause a person to either behave extremely defensively (perhaps even assuming the fetal position), or to become enraged and lash out violently.\n    * The loss of the ability to react logically to oncoming stimuli, and the loss of cognitive ability in general. One suffering from a panic attack will often only feel the attack and will be unable to assess why they are feeling the attack or what they can do to stop the sensation.\n    * Flushed face and chest\n    * Chills\n    * Dream-like sensation or perceptual distortion (derealization)\n    * Dissociation, or the perception that one is not connected to the body or is disconnected from space and time (depersonalization)\n    * Terror, or a sense that something unimaginably horrible is about to occur and one is powerless to prevent it\n    * Vomiting\n    * Tunnel vision\n    * Fear of losing control and doing something embarrassing or going crazy\n    * Fear of dying\n    * Feeling of impending doom\n    * Trembling or "shivering"\n    * Crying\n    * Heightened senses\n    * Loud internal dialogue\n    * Exhaustion\n    * Vertigo\n\nA panic attack typically lasts from 2 to 8 minutes. More severe panic attacks may form a series of episodes waxing and waning every few minutes, only to be ended by physical exhaustion and sleep.\n\nThe various symptoms of a panic attack can be understood as follows. First, there is the sudden onset of fear with little or no provoking stimulus. This leads to a release of adrenaline (epinephrine) which brings about the so-called fight-or-flight response where the person's body prepares for major physical activity. This leads to an increased heart rate (tachycardia), rapid breathing (hyperventilation), and sweating (which increases grip and aids heat loss). Because strenuous activity rarely ensues, the hyperventilation leads to a drop in carbon dioxide levels in the lungs and then in the blood. This leads to shifts in blood pH which can in turn lead to many other symptoms, such as tingling or numbness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. It is also possible for the person experiencing such an attack to feel as though they are unable to catch their breath, and they begin to take deeper breaths, which also acts to decrease c
1110212
Yes this could be from anxiety. The light headedness, and excess swallowing from nervousness, and the shortness of breath from possibly hyperventilating from too much worry about the situation. Id say mild panic attack but the chest pressure with light headedness could mean worse. Id get an ekg and " get it off your chest".
537432
a panic attack is your bodys "fight or flight" reaction kicking in. the only difference is that its not considered rational at the moment that it happens. say you are walking in the jungle and a lion jumps out in front of you, thats the fight or flight reaction having a purpose. i have panic attacks, i know how you feel. no one ever died from a panic attack even though it can make you feel like it. if you need couseling try www.onestepatatime.com or if you just want someone to talk to you can talk to me. kristeena911@yahoo.com Good luck!
153840
I had suffer from anxiety attacks a while ago, the best thing to do is not to think of them, if before u go on the plane or the cruise u are already thinking that u are gonna have an anxiety attack, u are programming yourself.....just be optimistic about it, dont think about them...if u have one..the best thing to do, that works with me...think that it will soon pass....just dont loose ur head....it will pass it will pass....and if u have a partner, couple....try to talk about anything....anything at all...the worts thing is to be left alone with yourself and your nervous mind. Talk to the guy next to you..sing a song...anything...to distract for a moment your mind.
470706
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, paresthesias (tingling sensations), and sensations of choking or smothering. The disorder is strikingly different from other types of anxiety disorders in that panic attacks are very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often disabling. An episode is often categorized as a vicious cycle where the mental symptoms increase the physical symptoms, and vice-versa.\n\nThe various symptoms of a panic attack can be understood as follows. First comes the sudden onset of fear with little or no provoking stimulus. This then leads to a release of adrenaline (epinephrine) which cause the so-called fight-or-flight response where the person's body prepares for major physical activity. This leads to an increased heart rate (tachycardia), rapid breathing (hyperventilation), and sweating (which increases grip and aids heat loss). Because strenuous activity rarely ensues, the hyperventilation leads to carbon dioxide levels lowering in the lungs and then the blood. This leads to shifts in blood pH which can in turn lead to many other symptoms, such as tingling or numbness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. (It is also possible for the person experiencing such an attack to feel as though they are unable to catch their breath, and they begin to take deeper breaths. This also acts to decrease carbon dioxide levels in the blood.)