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Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the United States affecting over 40 million adults.1
If you suffer from anxiety, you are certainly not alone. We all experience anxiety from time to time. Just think about the last time you had a job interview, or you had to give a big presentation. It is common for people to neglect their mental health and push their problems to the side. Someone who has a lot on their plate may experience anxiety disorder symptoms but not even realize that their mental health is being neglected. Other people may simply struggle to feel comfortable enough to open up. But when that anxiety crosses the line from an occasional annoyance to a debilitating and overwhelming feeling, there is a problem.
Anxiety can come in many different forms, and the symptoms can vary as well. Some are more obvious while other hidden symptoms of anxiety are less well known. Although one of the most obvious symptoms of anxiety is an anxiety attack, it may be difficult to determine if an anxiety attack is happening to you if you do not know what to look for. At Banyan Mental Health, we provide anxiety disorder treatment, so we know what patients are experiencing when they have an anxiety attack.
There are several types of anxiety disorders that people may experience, each with its own set of symptoms and challenges such as:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias
- And others.
Recognizing the specific type of anxiety disorder can be crucial in determining the appropriate treatment and support needed.
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Anxiety Attack Symptoms
Anxiety disorder symptoms are characterized by intense feelings of worry, and anxiety disorders can seriously impact one’s daily life. You or your loved one may be suffering from this disorder and not even realize it. While generalized anxiety disorder symptoms will differ from social anxiety symptoms, both have overlapping physical and social signs that you should be aware of.
Hidden Physical Signs of Anxiety
- Restlessness – Restlessness encompasses not being able to sit still in any situation and can appear in the form of various nervous habits. These habits can include anything from excessive hand shaking or tapping your foot.
- Reoccurring Sickness – Individuals with hidden anxiety are sick often because that is the way their body naturally responds to extreme stress and anxiety. Their constant anxiety leads to high levels of cortisol which is bad for their overall health and can make them sick.
- Body Tension – With anxiety comes fight or flight situations that can make the body tense up and produce muscle aches.
- Panic Attacks – Rapid heartbeat and extreme sweating make up a panic attack, and one who has an anxiety disorder may frequently experience panic attacks.
Hidden Social Signs of Anxiety
- Past Emotional Trauma – Any previous experience that has caused a lot of pain for someone can increase social anxiety levels that are associated with that experience.
- Lifestyle Signs – Excessive drinking and a poor diet can worsen anxiety symptoms. Unfortunately, many people turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their anxiety and eventually develop an addiction to these substances. Our program for dual diagnosis treatment and an active lifestyle can help manage anxiety symptoms in everyday situations.
What Are the Signs of An Anxiety Attack?
While everyone is different, and anxiety can present itself in many ways, there are typically some common signs and symptoms of an anxiety attack to watch out for. If you suspect that you may have experienced an anxiety attack before but are still unsure, review the signs and symptoms below.
The most common signs of an anxiety attack include:
- Sudden overwhelming feelings of fear and doom
- Sweating
- Hot flashes
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- Irrational or racing thoughts
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Trembling or fidgeting
- Possible feeling of having an out-of-body experience
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Trouble sleeping
Anxiety and Panic Attacks
What many people may not realize is that anxiety attacks and panic attacks are not the same thing. The signs of anxiety attacks differ from panic attacks. Anxiety attacks are less severe than panic attacks as they lack the harmful physical side effects that can also lead to negative long-term effects. Anxiety attacks also tend to be more common.
The difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks:
- Panic Attacks:
- Occur with trigger but can occur without one
- Symptoms appear suddenly
- Symptoms are disruptive and may involve a sense of detachment
- Typically subside after a few minutes
- Symptoms feel severe or intense
- Anxiety Attacks:
- Response to a stressor or threat
- Feelings of anxiety may build over time
- Symptoms can be mild or severe
- Symptoms may occur for longer periods to time
- Both panic and anxiety may involve:
- fear
- a pounding or racing heart
- lightheadedness
- nausea
- numbness or tingling
- sweating
- chest pain
- irrational thoughts
If you experience frequent anxiety or panic attacks and find that your anxiety is interfering with your ability to go about your normal life, then you should get professional help. Our mental health PHP works with patients just like you.
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Self-Care Strategies for Managing Anxiety
Self-care is crucial in managing symptoms of anxiety and supporting treatment. Incorporating these practices into your daily routine not only helps alleviate immediate anxiety but also promotes your overall well-being:
- Avoid substances: Limit alcohol consumption and avoid illicit drugs, as they can exacerbate anxiety symptoms and interfere with treatment effectiveness.
- Stay active: Engage in regular exercise, even if it's a short walk each day. Physical activity helps reduce stress hormones and promotes the release of endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce anxiety levels.
- Maintain routine: Stick to regular eating and sleeping patterns as much as possible. A balanced, nutritious diet and adequate sleep support optimal brain function and emotional regulation.
- Practice relaxation: Learn and consistently practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, journaling, or guided imagery. These techniques help calm the mind and relax tense muscles, reducing overall anxiety.
- Embrace mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness meditation into your daily routine. Taking a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness cultivates present-moment awareness and helps you observe and manage anxious thoughts more effectively.
By prioritizing self-care practices like these, you empower yourself to better manage anxiety symptoms, enhance the effectiveness of treatment, and improve your overall quality of life.
If you or someone you love is struggling with an anxiety disorder, our mental health program may be able to help. Many people suffer from anxiety, but not everyone takes the proper steps to get professional care. Our mental illness treatment methods allow our patients to grow through recovery. Contact us today at (877) 360-1639 to start the recovery process right away.
Sources:
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America - Facts and Statistics
- Who - https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders
- Medical News https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321798#differences