Overcoming Anxiety Attack Symptoms

People who experience panic attacks tend to have higher than normal levels of anxiety even when they are resting. This may be due to things which happened in their childhood, or it may be the result of too many long-term problems, or a combination of both.

In another post on my blog I explained what a panic attack actually is – the result of the fight or flight response springing into action. Feelings of anxiety, regardless of where they come from, begin to prime the body to make the same response again. The finger’s on the trigger, ready to pull it at the least provocation. The whole nervous system has become aroused and is now highly sensitive.

Thresholds for coping with excitement are greatly lowered, so even in a pleasant situation, if it encourages more stimulation, more adrenalin to be released, it is easy for the system to overload into a panic attack. Alternatively, relaxing can have the effect of releasing the block from feeling and responding to the heightened state of arousal, so suddenly, there you are in the midst of an attack. It all makes sense, really, doesn’t it?

Misinterpretation of Bodily Sensations

Because of being in this highly aroused state, researchers also suggest that you become more sensitive to bodily sensations as you unconsciously look for the signal to actually start fighting or fleeing. Linked with this can be a catastrophic misinterpretation of what you sense.

For example, you begin to notice your breathing, think it is too fast, unconsciously assume it’s because you must be getting ready to cope with danger, and your body presses the panic trigger. Off you go again, trying to protect yourself from some imagined danger, this time simply because you thought the worst about what a harmless sensation could mean.