Anxiety is a common mental health condition. Yet, it can cause considerable distress and concern to those suffering. The physical signs can be so intense and severe. Some people ought to feel that they are drying when a wave of extreme anxiety visits them.
Can anxiety kill you? It is a commonly asked query, yet few on the net are willing to answer. In this article, we’ll find out everything there is to know about how far anxiety and panic attacks can go. We’ll give you some assurance about the answers we found. Let’s begin.
Can Anxiety Kill You?
Anxiety itself cannot kill you. It is a feeling accompanied by a physical component. The physiological changes born by untreated long-term anxiety can direct to other illnesses that may kill you. These are high blood pressure, a sickened immune system, and a heightened risk for suicidal ideation and attempts.
Yet, it takes highly elevated and long-lasting anxiety to direct to those more severe diseases. You can lower your anxiety. You can find professionals to support you before it gets to that point.
Psychological and Physical Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety can trigger physical and psychological symptoms. Psychological symptoms include excessive worrying or obsessing over specific thoughts. You can also feel nervous and unable to concentrate, relax, or sleep.
The physical symptoms of this mental health dilemma can be less well-known. They include:
- Palpitations
- Feeling breathless
- Feeling light-headed or dizzy
- Sweating
- Tremor or feeling shaky
- Headaches
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden, intense sensation of anxiety. It can happen suddenly. It is what makes it feel more overwhelming and terrifying.
You can’t die from anxiety. Yet, you should take panic attacks seriously. Panic attacks can be one of the most daunting experiences to undergo. The attacks can be from a sudden surge of fear for only a few minutes to heart palpitations and shortness of breath. It can be so severe that it mimics a heart attack.
It is not just the symptoms that make it so debilitating. Panic attacks can also make you feel out of control. I don’t know why you have one or when an attack might strike next. It can make daily tasks a dilemma.
If you are experiencing panic attacks, you may have a kind of anxiety disorder known as panic disorder. It is ruled that almost 5 percent of Americans will go through it at some point in their lives.
Still, the good news is that there are steps you can act on to decrease the severity of the attacks. Moreover, the long-term treatments for anxiety management and panic attacks are promising to be effective.
What Are the Signs of a Panic Attack?
Symptoms of a panic attack can be unique from person to person. Also, even from attack to attack.
Most panic attacks last less than 30 minutes. It has an average lasting around 10 minutes. Yet, some of the symptoms may last a lot longer. However, the average length of it may not seem like a long time. It can feel like forever for the person undergoing a full-blown attack.
Below are the list of symptoms that may be your first indication that you are undergoing an attack:
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Chest pains and feeling weak
- Hyperventilating
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations along chest pain
- Trembling or shaking
- Sweating
- Feeling detached from your surroundings and dizzy
- Numbness or tingling feeling
What Can You Do During a Panic Attack To Alleviate It?
When you are in state of a full-blown panic attack, it can be a dilemma to stop it. It is because the physical symptoms can cause you to panic even more.
Your mind can play tricks on you. It can feel like you are dying due to the physical symptoms. But tell yourself you are going to be okay. It can help to calm yourself down.
When you are experiencing a panic attack, slow down your breath. You can do this by counting backward and performing slow, deep breaths.
During the attack, your breaths will feel constricted. You may sense you are running out of air. Below are the steps you can take to manage your panic attack.
- Start by breathing in.
- As you are breathing in, count. Count in your head or out loud. Do so for about 6 seconds to make your in-breath last longer.
- It is also vital that you breathe through your nose.
- Then, breathe out for 7 to 8 seconds.
- Repeat this technique a few times during the panic attack.
To add to breathing exercises, you can also do relaxation techniques. Focusing as much energy as possible on relaxing your body is vital.
Some people find success by regularly practicing meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises when not having a panic attack. It helps them rely on the techniques more quickly during an episode.
Can You Die From a Panic Attack?
You can’t die from a panic attack. It is not typically fatal.
While death from it is not generally possible, repeated episodes of it or panic disorders can lead to potential health effects.
What Happens if Anxiety Is Left Untreated?
When anxiety is left on the loose, it can wreak havoc on your life. Anxiety can also do damage to your body.
Heightened cortisol and adrenaline are beneficial when you are in a situation where survival instincts are warranted. Yet, when a variety of non-threatening situations trigger your alarm system, it’s chronically overstimulated.
This chronic overstimulation triggered by anxiety can lead to:
- Weight loss or gain
- High blood pressure
- Increased risk for other mental illnesses like depression
- Insomnia
- Increased risk for suicide
- Constant irritability
- Muscle tension
- Trouble concentrating
- Headaches
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Feeling restless
- Panic attacks
Coping With an Anxiety Disorder
There is a mountain of ways to cope with anxiety. Some of which work better for the short term than the long term. Long-term coping strategies typically consist of changing your thinking, often with the assistance of a therapist. You can also practice other coping strategies during acute episodes of anxiety. Critical long-term coping includes being mindful of the food you eat. Also, ensure you get some good vitamins in your body. Moreover, get as much restful sleep as you need.
Some in-the-moment examples of how to ease anxiety include:
1. Challenge your thoughts: What’s the proof for or against your anxious thoughts? Are there any choices? What would you tell a friend having this thought?
2. Fidget toys: Keeping your hands busy can rid an anxious state of mind:
3. Use your five senses
- Touch- put your feet firmly into the ground, and pay attention to the temperature in the air around you.
- Smell- light a candle with your scent of choice
- Taste-chew some minty gum.
- See- look at photos that make you feel happy
- Hear-listen to music you enjoy
4. Practice mindfulness: Be present in your circumstances. Notice your thoughts and let them pass by without holding on to them. Suppose you have trouble with this alone; you could try a meditation app for some set mindfulness time.
5. Schedule your worry time. Try giving 5-1 units a day specifically to worry.
6. Exercise. Get your body moving to boost your mood. Physical activity increases dopamine and serotonin.
7. Embrace your inner child. Do something light and fun. Blow bubbles, color!
Frequently Asked Questions About Can Anxiety Kill You
1. Can anxiety shorten your life?
Chronic anxiety can potentially affect your lifespan. Specific anxiety disorders were associated with higher overall mortality rates.
Anxiety can also indirectly trigger health problems over the long term. Yet, individuals with anxiety disorders can still live long, healthy lives with proper management and treatment.
Still, anxiety does not have to control or shorten your life. There are many effective interventions and coping strategies available.
2. Is it wrong to live with anxiety?
Living with anxiety can indeed hurt various aspects of one’s life. Symptoms can interfere with one’s career, education, and personal relationships. Living with chronic anxiety can also cause physical stress on your body. It can affect your nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, immune, and respiratory systems.
3. How long can an anxiety attack last?
A panic attack typically carries on for about 10 minutes. Yet, the symptoms can differ in duration and intensity from person to person.
4. What is the fastest way to resolve anxiety?
Everyone’s experience with anxiety is unique. Yet, many techniques can help manage and alleviate symptoms quickly. These are some methods to aid:
- Deep breathing
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Exercise
- Healthy lifestyle
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Anxiety and panic attacks will not kill you. Yet, the symptoms they bring can be very unpleasant. It is also worth noting that chronic anxiety can lead to a risk of some medical conditions. For all these facts, taking charge of your mental health is essential. You must take steps that can bring wellness and healing to your life.
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Author Tracy Gorman
I am Tracy Gorman, an experienced writer dedicated to producing compelling and informative content. With a deep understanding of diverse subjects such as lifestyle, beauty, and wellness, I create valuable articles for everyone.
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