Article by Bill Burniece

Almost nothing can turn your life upside down faster than an anxiety attack can.

Anxiety today is a global problem. It affects millions of people around the world and from all walks of life. It can literally happen to anyone. Anxiety does not discriminate. When anxious feelings peak within us it can trigger physical anxiety attack symptoms that can make things miserable.

How miserable?

Anxiety attack symptoms can make you believe that you’re having a heart attack, stroke, or other serious medical emergency. Because of this, many first time sufferers of anxiety attacks end up being rushed to the emergency room only to find out their condition is not life-threatening.

Anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks, begin abruptly and last 10 minutes or so for most people. However they can last an hour or more in some cases.

Anxiety attacks are sudden feelings of extreme fear, terror, and discomfort. Anxiety or panic attack episodes can occur at any time – even when you’re asleep. The most common anxiety attack symptoms are:

Feelings Of Dread Or FearDifficulty BreathingFeeling Out Of ControlA Strong Urge To Flee Or Escape The Place You Are InA Choking SensationSwallowing DifficultyChest Pains Or Racing HeartA Sudden Fear Of Dying Or Going CrazyShaking And UnsteadinessBreaking Out In A SweatDizziness Or LightheadedFeeling The Need To Throw UpStomach CrampsHot FlashesHeadacheChills

So what is actually occurring when you’re experiencing these anxiety attack symptoms?

An anxiety attack is like a false alarm from our brain to our body. When were in true danger our body’s fight-or-flight mechanism kicks into action to get us out of harm’s way. When we are experiencing anxiety attack symptoms we have that same rush of fear and terror and all the physiological sensations that can go along with it, like a racing heart, sweating, tightening of the throat, and lightheadedness. The difference in an anxiety attack is that there is no immediate threat present.

If left untreated, anxiety attacks can reoccur forming a pattern that can lead to an anxiety disorder. One of the worst effects of anxiety disorder is the increasing dread over when and where the next anxiety attack might occur. Dwelling on this possibility often triggers more anxiety attacks. It can become a frustrating cycle of dread and fear.

So what can be done to treat anxiety attack symptoms?

The good news is that anxiety is a highly treatable disorder. There are many methods available to treat anxiety attacks. The most common are psychotherapy, medication (antidepressants or natural herbal treatments), relaxation techniques, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. A combination of at least two of these methods has proven to be the most effective.

Doctors recommend taking antidepressant drugs to treat anxiety disorders in nearly every case. However, there are dangers associated with

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