Do you know the signs and symptoms
of anxiety panic disorder?
The signs and symptoms of anxiety panic disorder are not unlike the fears many of us have experienced at one time or another. Only these are much worse.
Almost everyone can relate to that sensation of fear that strikes when we realize we could be in danger. It can happen when you have a near-miss traffic accident. If you are suspicious of someone following you down a dark street, it can occur. When you're preparing to enter an important exam (health or school) you can experience fear of failing or getting bad news.
These are all normal instances when anxiety can strike. Anxiety in these circumstances is a natural response. It becomes a problem when it develops into a long-term condition that, in its exaggerated form, becomes panic disorder.
What's the difference between anxiety and panic disorder?
In short, panic disorder is the exaggerated version of anxiety. They are both triggered by fear, both real or imagined. Anxiety is a milder condition that can resolve on its own. When mixed with panic, it generally requires more serious consideration.
Panic attacks generally follow the milder anxiety attack and occur in response to the growing fear. There are a number of causes of anxiety and panic attacks. It's proven that they can develop after an initial fear that caused the person to panic. This sets the memory to respond in this way with any future signs of danger, whether it is justified or not.
When anxiety panic disorder persists, however, it is then a medical disorder that requires some form of treatment. It is characterized by severe panic attacks that come on suddenly and without warning.
To the sufferer the panic attack might seem to last a very long time when in fact they reach their maximum intensity within a matter of a few minutes, and slowly diminish over the next hour or so. At this stage, the panic attacks occur frequently. For some people, they happen every few days while others only experience them a few times a month or less.
It's important to note that the onset of panic attacks occur mostly in people between the ages of 20 and 30 and less frequently in teens and the elderly.
What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety panic disorder?
While the causes of anxiety panic disorder differ among people, the symptoms are the same although everyone might not experience all of them. The most common signs and symptoms of anxiety panic disorder are:
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Being constantly afraid without knowing the cause of the fear
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A racing heart rate
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A sense of suffocation, like you cannot get enough oxygen into your lungs
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An expanding, paralyzing terror
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Nervousness, trembling, sweating
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A persistent feeling of dread, irrational fear and being constantly afraid
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Lightheadedness, giddiness and sometimes nausea
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Hot and cold flashes
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Tingling sensations in the extremities, particularly the fingers and toes
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Being afraid that you're losing your mind or will die
Ongoing effects of anxiety panic disorder
Without treatment, a person with anxiety panic disorder will begin to make drastic changes to their lifestyle in order to avoid the fear or anything that might bring on an attack. They will stop participating in their favorite activities, they'll avoid going outside or into places where they feel uncomfortable where once they did not. They might avoid shopping, taking the subway, driving in traffic, walking down busy streets and even going to work.
 At this stage, it's time to seek help. One excellent and proven treatment is The Linden Method, a program that includes relaxation audios, audio exercises and a master manual that tells you everything you need to know and do to recover permanently.
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