Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Attacks

People suffering from anxiety attacks often don’t know what’s happening to them unless they’ve experienced the symptoms in the past. Anxiety attacks have emotional as well as physical symptoms and often these symptoms are mistaken for some health problems, making the patient seek emergency medical treatment only to feel foolish afterwards. Patients suffering from anxiety attacks needn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed because they are not alone. Knowing the physical symptoms of anxiety attacks can help the patient know what’s going on so, hopefully, they can understand it better and seek help.

Common Physical Symptoms of Anxiety Attacks

Palpitations or Heart Beating Fast- Your heart may be either beating real fast or irregular. It may feel like it’s skipping a beat or two.  The palpitations may be felt in your throat, chest or heart and may be accompanied with fright or a high sense of excitement. Although everyone feels this pounding of the heart at some time in their life, when they’re part of a anxiety attack, they’re more pronounced.

Excess sweating and perspiration- Although sweating is perfectly normal, especially when you’re exerting yourself or participating in physical activities, they’re a very big part of a anxiety attack and often one of the first symptoms you’ll notice.

Shaking or trembling- While many people tremble when they’re angry, stressed or tired, when you’re in the middle of a anxiety attack, the tremor is going to be more constant.  However, if it never seems to completely go away, seek medical treatment as it may be a sign of another health problem.

Shortness of Breath- People suffering from a anxiety attack often describe it has having difficulty breathing because they can’t seem to get enough air. Anxiety and emotional distress frequently can lead to difficulty breathing.

Difficulty Swallowing- This is a very common physical symptom of anxiety attacks. The feeling they may experience includes feeling like food is stuck high in the neck or in their throat, making it very difficult to swallow.

Sharp Chest Pains- Anxiety attack sufferers may experience a sense of pressure or heaviness in the chest. This is one of the main reasons why they often feel they are suffering from a heart attack.

Stomach Pains- Stomach pains can be characteristic of so many different health problems, that they are often not associated with a anxiety attack. They can cause a lot of discomfort, however, when accompanied with the other anxiety attack symptoms.

Vomiting and Nausea- Many people suffering from a anxiety attack suffer from vomiting and nausea, which is caused by the part of the central nervous system that is in charge of our involuntary body functions.

Faintness, Dizziness or Lightheadedness- Although these symptoms are characteristic of many physical and emotional issues, these symptoms are very common in anxiety attacks and are often some of the first symptoms experienced.

Hot or Cold Flashes- The person suffering from a anxiety attack may experience a feeling of extreme hot or cold sensations in the upper part of their body. This, also, may be one of the first symptoms when a anxiety attack is approaching.