6 signs you’re experiencing an anxiety attack

Anxiety is what people experience when they are either worried or feel threatened by something.

It is how the mind and the body reacts when it’s under pressure or is going through a difficult time.

When a person has an anxiety attack, triggered by an anticipation of a stressful situation, event and experience, he or she is likely to feel certain changes in the body.

At times, it may be difficult to identify the nature of your anxiety, which is why here are some signs of anxiety attack you must watch out for.

1. Overwhelming emotions
People who experience an anxiety attack usually have episodes of overwhelming emotions. Constantly being tensed, worried or out of one’s element can make a person conflicted with their own mind. The feeling of not having anything in control is what you may experience when you have an anxiety attack.

2. Rapid heart palpitations
Intense pounding of the heart or racing of the heartbeat is a common symptom of anxiety attack. Also known as heart palpitations, it can make you feel as though your heart is racing, pounding, or may have skipped a beat.

3. Difficulty in breathing
While shortness of breath or dyspnea may seem extremely frightening, it may be a common sign of anxiety. During an anxiety attack, the body responds to it in several ways. From feeling like you cannot catch your breath to a feeling of suffocation, anxiety attacks can make it difficult for you to breathe.

4. Inability to concentrate
When you have an anxiety attack, you lack the ability of staying calm and composed. While nothing seems to be in your control, you begin to lose focus. If you experience a confused state of mind along with other signs of anxiety, then you may be having an anxiety attack.

5. Sweating or chills
If you’re in a state of panic and have an anxiety attack, chances are that you’ll either sweat profusely or shiver with cold.

6. Chest tightness
A chest pain associated with an anxiety attack may feel very different from usual chest pain and heartburn we have. In terms of anxiety, your chest may tighten and you may experience sharp, shooting pain, which could be persistent.