What are the reasons why we have anxiety attacks? I think it just depends on the person and how well you deal with the anxiety. I’ve been going through a lot of anxiety lately, but I truly believe that I will overcome it. I just have to persevere. Fight the fight! My anxiety is stemming from the fact that I no longer have a psychiatrist or therapist. Things happened that were out of my control, but I’m still head strong to manage the anxiety. I hope one day I’ll have an apartment of my own and I will be self sufficient. That’s my goal and I’m sticking to it.

Panic Attack, What Is It?

First of all, what is a panic attack? A panic attack is a sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches its peak within a few minutes and typically lasts for about 20-30 minutes. Panic attacks can be very frightening and distressing and may occur unexpectedly and without any apparent trigger.

Symptoms of a panic attack can vary but may include:

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Sweating or chills
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chest pain or tightness
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Trembling or shaking
• Nausea or staomach discomfort
• Numbness or tingling sensation in the hands or feet
• Fear of losing control or going crazy
• Fear of dying

Panic attacks can occur as part of an anxiety disorder or other mental health condition such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder. However, they can also occur in people without a history of anxiety or mental health problems. I usually get chest pains, hence why I’ve been in the ER so many times. Matter of fact, I’m getting them right now because my anxiety is so high. How are you supposed to know if it’s a panic attack or a heart attack…they both produce fear.

Anxiety Attack In The Morning

They say that you’re more prone to have an anxiety attack in the morning than at night. Basically, when you wake up in the morning, you still have the whole day ahead. You have to decide what you are going to do the rest of the day. This can produce anxiety. Your anticipating how the day will turn out. And then, anxiety starts to creep in. How are you going to not worry about everything that might happen (or not). You flip back and forth between scenarios. Then, the anxiety starts to build into an attack. You think to yourself “all I was thinking about was how to spend my time for the day.” Anxiety temps your brain to a fight. So, you spend 20 – 30 minutes trying to not pass out. When it’s over with, anxiety says “told you so, don’t mess with me!” Yet, another battle you have lost. When is this going to end? I can’t take much more of this. And then you get quiet…and depressed. I don’t want my life to be like this, how do I stop it? I feel so lost. How do I fight something that can be emotionally overpowering? I created it, but I don’t know how to defeat it. Then, it’s night time.

Night Panic

The night panic sets in, although, for some reason they say that this is not as overpowering as morning anxiety. I tend to disagree with that because you see (and hear) far worse things at night (or so you perceive). You’re lying there in the dark trying to fall asleep. You see several shadows on the walls and you swear one of them just moved. Anxiety starts to creep in. Was that a floor board creaking? I hear and see things that can’t be explained no matter how hard I try to justify it. Granted, I live in an older house, but still! Some things just can’t be explained and most of us accept that. Not me! I want to know WHY it happened! What caused it to happen? I believe everything has an explanation, whether you believe in it or not.

Anxiety Attacks In Dreams

When I fall asleep, I wake up 1 to 2 hours after I have fallen asleep. I’m starting to go into the dream state and I feel like I’m falling
and I wake up just before I hit the ground. Or sometimes, I feel like something is attacking me. It happens like clockwork every single night. Sometimes I can go back to sleep, other times, I can’t. Anxiety attack during a dream can be very vivid and intense, and they can cause a person to wake up feeling scared and anxious.

The symptoms of an anxiety attack in a dream can resemble those of a real-life anxiety attack and may include:

Increased heart rate
Rapid breathing or feeling short of breath
Chest pain or tightness
Sweating or feeling hot or cold
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Shaking or trembling
Nausea or stomach discomfort
Fear or panic
Difficulty moving or feeling paralyzed

If a person experiences frequent anxiety attacks in their dreams, it can potentially impact their sleep quality and overall mental health. People who have experienced real-life anxiety attacks may be more likely to experience them in their dreams as well.

Full Blown Anxiety Attack

During a full-blown anxiety attack, people may feel like they are experiencing a medical emergency or going insane. They may have an overwhelming urge to flee from the situation or seek help. It’s important to note that while anxiety attacks can be very distressing and uncomfortable, they are not generally dangerous or life-threatening. However, if you are experiencing symptoms of an anxiety attack or panic attack for the first time, it’s important to seek medical evaluation to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing the symptoms.

Help Someone With An Anxiety Attack

If you want to help someone who is having an anxiety attack, just let them know that you are there if they need someone to talk to. The worst thing you could do is just walk away. And don’t judge them because at that time, their emotions are going all over the place. They may even act like a child. As the saying goes “don’t judge a person until you have walked a mile in their shoes.” If I was having an anxiety attack in public (it has happened), I would want someone to help me, no matter how embarrassed I might be. Just knowing that one person cares, is enough for me. With society nowadays, it’s hard to find those types of people.

Conclusion

I guess with this post, the main thing to take away from it is don’t judge someone who is having an anxiety attack. You really don’t know what state of mind they are in. You could do more harm than good if you walk away. Nine times out of ten, that person needs someone to listen to them. They don’t know why some people are more prone to anxiety attacks, then others. Everybody processes their anxiety differently. Some people (like me) just can’t handle it, so I tend to isolate. I stay in my little room…hiding from everybody else. Right now, I’m content with that. Although, it’s going to be much harder when I try to integrate back into society because I’m used to the isolation. Lots of anxiety ahead of me, but I’ll work through it. Never give up! Until next time…

Articles

-Anxiety And Panic Attacks

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/causes/

-What Is Anxiety

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders

-How To Recognize An Anxiety Attack

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/307863

Have A Good One,

Cindee, One Voice – Unstoppable

“You’re Not Alone!”