Anxiety disorder consists of a few groups which all exhibit their own physical symptoms. There are primary symptoms that affect most anxiety sufferers. Anxiety sufferers frequently misdiagnose their physical symptoms of anxiety disorder. Due to this, it is absolutely crucial to know the physical symptoms of anxiety disorder that you may be facing.

Here, we will discuss the 6 major anxiety groups affected by physical symptoms, the physical symptoms of anxiety attack, at what age most sufferers have their first episode of anxiety disorder and what you should do if you have been suffering from any of these physical symptoms.

There are 6 major groups of anxiety disorder which all suffer from their own forms of physical symptoms.

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Individuals who are affected with Generalized Anxiety Disorder tend to feel anxious most of the time and often suffer from the anxiety attack physical symptoms of headaches, fatigue as well as stomach upset.

Generalized anxiety disorder is defined by a protracted, greater than 6 months’ duration, period and worry, accompanied by many associated symptoms. These symptoms include muscle tension, easy fatiguability, poor concentration, insomnia, and irritability. In youth, this condition is known as overanxious disorder of childhood. An essential feature of generalized anxiety disorder is that the anxiety and worry cannot be attributable to the more focal distress of panic disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other conditions. Rather, as implied by the name, the excessive worries often pertain to many areas, including work, relationships, finances, the well-being of one’s family, potential misfortunes, and impending deadlines. Somatic anxiety symptoms are quite common, same as sporadic panic attacks.

2. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder associates to uncontrollable thoughts and behaviors and compulsions like washing hands over and over as an example.

Obsessive compulsive disorder typically begins in adolescence to young adult life (males) or in young adult life (females). For majority, the course is fluctuating and, same as generalized anxiety disorder, symptom exacerbations are often related to life stresses. Common comorbidities consist of major depressive disorder and some other types of anxiety disorders. About 20 to 30 percent of people in clinical samples with obsessive compulsive disorder reported a past record of tics, and around one-quarter of these people meet the full criteria for Tourette’s disorder. Conversely, up to 50 percent of people with Tourette’s disorder develop obsessive compulsive disorder.

3. Panic Attacks And Panic Disorders

Panic attacks frequently occur without any warning and can last for up to 30 minutes. Some sufferers may also suffer from agoraphobia.

4. Phobias

This is linked to an unrealistic fear of a specific activity, situation or object ie fear of flying, stepping out of your house, snakes etc.

5. Social Anxiety/Phobias

This always results in a debilitating fear of being humiliated in public or being highly fearful of what people outside think of you.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health people who usually suffer from one of the anxiety disorders listed above also suffer from another anxiety disorder. Depressive disorders and/or substance abuse of any sort are also contributing factors in the onset of an anxiety disorder. It is worth noting that most anxiety disorder sufferers (in fact near three-quarters of them) have their first episode of an anxiety attack physical symptom by 21 years of age.

6. Separation Anxiety

Often associated with childhood separation fears but not limited to.

Any problem should first be analyzed before solutions are thought about. This is actually the same principle that should be followed when one is in the process of knowing how to overcome phobia.It would be impossible to find out how to overcome intense fear when there is actually no knowledge regarding its origin. It is only when one is quite aware of the reasons or bases of such condition that he would also determine how to get over with it. Because of this, it is very important to analyze first the history of one’s phobia.

One explanation why people tend to have phobias is genetic. This conclusion is apparently the result of certain studies or researches.An individual who develops intense fear of a particular object or situation may just have the genes passed on to him by parents or kin who also happen to feel in the same way. However, many psychologists tend to argue the veracity of such an explanation. Some of them believe that while genetic factors may indeed apply in determining phobia causes, these may not really be the decisive aspect. After all, there are many individuals who do not share the same fears as their parents or siblings.

The more scientific explanation of phobia causes is environmental or cultural.As an individual grows and matures, she/he assimilates beliefs taught to or observed by him from people that surround him. These impressions would last and actually shape his own concepts and character. Therefore, if he is made to think that spiders are really dreadful and evil, then he would certainly think so unless he finds it otherwise by himself too.Phobia, in this respect, is not just borne out of ignorance but by the concepts embedded in his/her mind by their elders. When parents provide the concepts themselves, phobia is still caused by cultural or environmental factors; not genetic.

The most powerful cause of phobias though is life experience. When a situation or a thing leads to an incident that deeply traumatizes the individual, this could develop to intense fear or phobia.Naturally, the individual will ensure that such an incident is avoided at all times. There are a list of phobias online where this can happen. This can especially occur if one does not go through a process of evaluating such experience in a more objective manner. When he sees it as absolutely negative and terrifying, then he would surely develop irrational fear of it.

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What is the best book for overcoming anxiety? I have discussed this in a previous article, and I think the best book is “Self Help for your Nerves” by Claire Weekes

While such books are undoubtedly great, they have a very logical approach that deal mainly with the analytical side of the brain.

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I believe that through stories and journeys, people can vicariously experience overcoming anxiety through a character.

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There are some individuals that find it terrifying and very difficult being seen in public or at the focus of attention. Although social anxiety is by far one of the most common anxiety disorders, it remains largely under-recognized. For sufferers, Managing Panic Attacks can be especially difficult without professional help. Some sufferers may find it impossible to even be in the presence of strangers and experience extreme anxiety around others.

Negative past occurrences can cause negative thoughts and behaviors that can lead to low esteem, lack of assertiveness and social phobia. Past negative experiences such as ridicule, embarrassment or being made to feel guilty can have harmful affect on the mind.

Everyday life is often hard to deal with and a sufferer may have constant worry and negative thoughts. They can be so ingrained that we find it impossible to clear from our mind and body. Focusing on negative thoughts daily, for years, enforces a pattern that cannot simply be wiped away from the subconscious. Our character emerges from what we constantly do and think, and inevitably what we focus on the majority of the time is what we become.

Overcoming social phobia is not just about learning How To Prevent Panic Attacks, but to be able to overcome the fear of social situations, by changing negative beliefs and habits. Overcoming social anxiety can be as simple as managing your thoughts, since what you regularly focus on is what you’ll feel and become. It’s a belief of some people that a person can’t change, however this is simply untrue. Changing the way you see yourself and how you perceive the world is a step you can take to improve how you feel.

Believe it or not, our present and future doesn’t have to reflect on our past. Some of the most successful people of the world have become what they are simply because they chose not to be defeated. Anyone can choose to start again, even if it is one step at a time. Techniques including Emotional Freedom Technique and Neuro-Linguistic Programming can provide Panic Attack Relief but also make long term changes to habits and thoughts. By constantly trying to better ourselves and strengthen our ability to handle social anxiety, you can succeed in making massive change to your life.

Think about what you want in life and work towards it. Map out smaller goals towards the bigger picture, which you can achieve and find a self that you are happier with. Your dream will be far more attainable when you break it down into smaller achievements, and by doing so you will also gain the benefit of experiencing smaller successes which will help shape your habits and attitudes positively.

Most people have something they don’t like about themselves such as being overweight, being unattractive or having a lack of confidence. Think what would make you feel happier about yourself, whether it’s losing a few pounds or becoming more assertive and take action. Having frequent thoughts of self-inadequacy and belief that other people think the same of you, is a destructive habit. What the mind thinks is often what you believe others to think.

Too much conscious thinking can block your natural thought process, we become so conscious of what we are doing and thinking that we are not living in the moment. Our acts and behaviors can become too conscious and when we constantly over-think what we say or do, we begin to lose a sense of who we really are. You need to work towards becoming the person you want to be. Right now, it may seem impossible to be a person that can handle being confident in front of others, but change only takes time.

Controlling Panic Attacks by keeping control of your breath is a simple but useful technique. By making slight adjustments to your composure, it can influence your wellbeing and emotions. The body’s adrenaline levels and other harmful chemicals surge in the course of an anxiety attack. When these chemicals run rampant in the body, frightening sensations can occur.

When a person experiences an episode, their breath-rate increases dramatically and becomes shallow. There are a number of reasons why managing your breathing helps to control panic attacks. By diverting your attention to your breath, you become more relaxed. Coupled with visualizations and affirmations it can work as an excellent distraction.

Hyperventilation is a common symptom that occurs during episodes. Hyperventilation causes an imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the brain causing confusion and alarm. Like a domino effect, it sets off a chain reaction of panic, fear and anxiety. Simply breathing slowly and deeply is effective in Stopping Panic Attacks. By taking control of your breathing you can prevent symptoms from escalating.

As soon as you sense that you might have an episode, divert your attention to your breath and inhale deeply and slowly. Imagine your lungs fill with air, right to the top before gradually releasing it. Do this as many times as it takes for you to feel normal again. People find that a paper bag useful during panic attacks as it helps regulate breathing. Remember to let go of any muscle tension in your body on each out-breath. You may also like to envision a place of beauty, such as a beach or lake view during this process.

Take a few moments in the day to adjust your posture and thoughts. What you feel physically transcends emotionally, so if you feel physically distressed you will be mentally so. The problem is that most of us take no notice of stress and anxiety until it really affects us. Not surprisingly, by paying attention to the early signs, for example; migraines, fast heart rate, sweating and muscle tension, we can reduce stress as and when it comes.

Take notice of what your body is telling you both internally and externally. Give yourself a quick break every hour or so to re-energize; fix yourself a drink or go for a walk. If you’re stuck at a desk all day, a good stretch can help loosen up any tension. Furthermore, be watchful of what goes on in your head. If you have negative thoughts going round your head all day then it’s going to affect your mood and behavior.

Think positive and try and have a number of positive affirmations or motivating quotes on hand so that you can repeat them in your head. Daily life can be an uphill struggle sometimes, but don’t let things like work and work relationships get in the way of relaxation, when at home. If you have a lot of background stress and anxiety, then it can affect your mood into the evening. Sleep problems can arise when we take worrying thoughts from the day into the bedroom.

Panic attacks are more likely to happen when a person is awake, however Sleep Panic Attacks are not uncommon. By making healthy lifestyle choices and committing to practicing positive habits daily, you can experience better health and sleep. A number of activities are excellent for burning up harmful chemicals in the body, for example, yoga, meditation and physical exercise. Laughter and sex can induce the release of natural opiates that encourage positive thoughts and emotions.

Meditation can provide Panic Attack Relief in anxiety sufferers. Meditation is a practice that has been around for centuries and is practiced by millions of people all over the world. Regular practice of meditation calms the mind, the nervous system and also reduces the heart rate. It is also fantastic way to reduce stress and anxiety, and revitalize the body and mind.

Practicing meditation helps to control the sympathetic nervous system which us handle daily stresses with much more ease. When you meditate, you start to realize that you can learn to control your emotions, sensations and negative thoughts. Understanding this will make you realize that you can control your thoughts and actions and ultimately where your life is heading.

Being the master of your own mind means that you can choose to think positively and let go of any thoughts that may harm you. When we worry and create fear in our own minds it affects us emotionally and physically, causing anxiety attacks and needless stress. Although it can be difficult for some, it is possible to learn how to let go of these thoughts. The mind can escape from stress and anxiety through meditation making it great for Managing Panic Attacks.

Growing in evidence is that the mind has immense healing power over the body. When the mind is in a positive state it ultimately affects how we feel physically too. Anxiousness, worry and dread; these cause physical symptoms such as tiredness, irritability and tension. Phyiscal tension leads to restriction of blood flow in the body. As we relax through meditation, muscles relax, increasing blood flow to the body and brain.

Relaxation can help to lower the acidity level in the body and increase the alkalinity level, improving both physical and mental health. Having a high acidity level can contribute to stress, fatigue and poor concentration. Simply eating right will help to decrease anxiety symptoms and is a simple practice in How to prevent panic attacks. A healthy diet, full of vegetables and fruit can help maintain a balanced ph level.

Most people have lost the art of relaxation. Headaches and neck and shoulder pains are preventable yet most people tend to ignore the signs of stress. As well as affecting development, excessive stress depletes energy and can lead to health problems. With practice you can learn to deal with stress quickly before it gets worse.

Today people are busy than ever and under enormous amounts of pressure to perform. We sometimes push ourselves even when we can see the signs that we are under too much stress. Many of us fail to recognize the importance of relaxation and forget that relaxation can actually boost energy, productivity and concentration.

We often forget the power of the human mind and body and it’s natural ability to heal and recover, even from some diseases and conditions. Little attention is paid to breathing, since breathing is a done subconsciously and without conscious effort. Breathing deeply is healthy for your mind and body, and yet most of us spend most our lives breathing shallowly and not utilizing the lungs to their fullest capacity.

Deep slow breathing can be immensely beneficial to our health and wellbeing, and it’s simple to do. People who practice deep breathing regularly can benefit from more energy and more capacity to cope with anxiety and stress. Why not give meditation a go and see how much it will change the way you feel.

With concerns of taking medication many people opt for natural ways in Coping With Panic Attacks. It seems that prescription medication is one of the biggest killers of big stars of late. In actual fact, prescription medication causes tens of thousands of deaths annually. Reasons are usually due to taking too much or mixing medications.

Anti-anxiety medication although sometimes effective at reducing Anxiety symptoms, fails to address the real cause of anxiety. There are also other worries since one can become addicted to medication and become dependent on its use. Like with most drugs, medication is no different in that it should be taken with care and not to be abused.

When the body becomes tolerant to anxiety medication they become no longer effective at Controlling Panic Attacks. Unfortunately patients grow dependent on them and often increase their dosage to try and attain the same effect. In some instances doctors may even advise on increasing dosage. Mixing different types of medication also poses as a danger.

Men who suffer from anxiety disorders are more likely to drink alcohol as a means in coping with panic attacks and anxiety. Medication and alcohol should not be mixed as this can be a dangerous combination. Anxiety medication does not remedy the root cause for attacks, so in the long run it does not help.

Other options are available for controlling panic attacks that do not require medication. EFT for example, is similar to acupressure or acupuncture. Using the tips of the fingers, a tapping action is used to stimulate and unblock disruptions in the body. For some, this might sound like a pie in the sky technique that won’t work. But remember that the mind and body are connected.

When a person experiences an anxiety attack, they describe the symptoms or sensations that they felt. They experience nausea, trembling, chest pains and rapid breathing. However the cause of attacks are due to psychological behaviors and beliefs. It’s the mind that triggers these physical symptoms. The mind and body connection is more apparent when we experience stress and anxiety.

This is why therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology and EFT can help a great deal in controlling panic attacks. Growing in common use are therapies such as NLP made popular by Anthony Robbins and hypnotherapy. Health, diet and exercise are highly ignored methods that have tremendous effect on psychological health and wellbeing. Simple steps include eating a healthy diet and getting a good dose of cardiovascular exercise daily.

An important aspect of overcoming anxiety is changing your beliefs and behaviors. It’s your fears and negative beliefs that get you down. There’s lots you can do to start changing your life and becoming happier. Success in all aspect of life comes from motivation and pushing for goals that achieve happiness. Get creative and start new hobbies to keep you busy and learning.

Connecting with other people is a great way to relieve anxiety and stress and grow more confident. Read self help books and learn to take control of your emotions so that you can be the boss of you. Reward yourself with relaxation daily to balance life; take a hot bath, go for a relaxing stroll or watch something amusing. Coping with panic attacks also means avoiding triggers such as stress, unnecessary worrying, and caffeine and alcohol.

Natural Remedies For Anxiety Symptoms from Nathan Tyler on Vimeo.