Mon, Jun 14th - 10:56AM

Panic attacks and anxiety disorders affect over 2 million Americans and women have a higher risk than men, according to WebMD.com. A person that has an anxiety attack will feel uncomfortable and experience an sudden acute feeling of overwhelm and panic. Anxiety attacks can occur on a regular basis, or randomly in people of all ages. Here are some ways to recognize anxiety symptoms:

1. Difficulty speaking and concentrating. The person experiencing an anxiety attack or extreme anxiety typically has difficulty getting focused and speaking properly. They may stutter, mumble, be incomprehensive, and will feel like their thoughts are out of control.

2. Chest pains or tightness. It is typical of people who suffer from anxiety to have difficulty breathing before and during an attack. This can cause severe chest pains or tightness, difficulty swallowing from limited oxygen intake.

3. Excessive energy. An individual who is always on the move and are hyper active may be suffering from anxiety. They may have a feeling of restlessness and will encounter difficulty relaxing. This is a common anxiety symptom that many people overlook.

4. Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. When anxiety strikes, a person can no longer breathe normally and their oxygen intake will be severly limited. This can cause numbness in the hands and feet, especially if they are sitting in a constricted position.

5. Heart palpitations or a racing heart. A person who will have a panic attack will feel their heart beating rapidly. Increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure are common anxiety symptoms.

6. Extreme cravings for sugar and sweets. People who frequently suffer from anxiety tend to indulge in food that is high in saturated fat and carbohydrates in order to relieve their anxiety. If too much food is consumed at one sitting or these kinds of food are eaten too often, the person may suffer from other health problems. The calming effect of such food will wear off eventually, the anxiety problem will remain and sometimes can even get worse.

7. Extreme fatigue. Since a person with anxiety problems is feeling constantly stress, they tend to feel tired and worn out. Anxiety triggers several chemical reactions in the body that directly affect the central nervous system. This can leave the person feeling drained of energy, and unable to get enough rest to recover.

The signs and symptoms of an anxiety attack differs and it may be more difficult to notice in some people. How severe the attack will be depends on the individual's chemical makeup, how frequently attacks occur, and other factors. Recognizing these symptoms as they happen can help to understand what is triggering an anxiety attack or general feelings of anxiety, and what needs to be done to correct the problem.

Extreme anxiety can wreck havoc on you emotionally, socially and physically and you will be relieved to know that there are natural anxiety treatments that can help.