What Are Common Causes Of Anxiety Attacks And How Can I Prevent Them?
Almost everyone experiences anxiety at some point or another in their lives, but some people experience severe anxiety attacks regularly. In contrast to panic attacks, anxiety attacks build up over time, and can be traced to a specific trigger.
Recognizing Anxiety Attacks
Most often, anxiety attacks occur because there are several areas of concern in your life. Worries over deadlines translate into staying late at work. Those late nights turn into putting off sleep to get things done around the house. Then, in the morning you play catch up with an extra cup of coffee. Over time, you stretch yourself thin.
Here are some telltale signs that your anxiety is building up toward an attack:
Difficulty Sleeping
Nausea
Irritability and Anger
Feelings of Dread
Contributing Factors
Health Issues
At some point or another you or someone you know has probably worked yourself into a frenzy on WebMD. Maybe you’ve noticed some change in your body that has you feeling uncomfortable, whether that’s a change in your hair line, the color of a mole, or anxiety about sexual performance.
Concern over health issues, real or imagined, are a common trigger for anxiety attacks. Because there are often delays in seeing a doctor, we often end up with time on our hands, imagining all the worst case scenarios out there.
If you think your anxiety attacks may be related to concerns of health issues, get in touch with your doctor! You’ll feel better right away if it’s nothing—and if it is worth worrying about, you’ll be able to start planning to get it taken care of before it gets any worse.
Diet or Medication
What we put into our body has a profound effect on how well it functions. Your body’s chemistry has a direct impact on your mental state. Irregularities in your blood sugar levels can cause dizzy spells, tremors, and an unsettled stomach.
By the same token, medications and drugs can also trigger changes in your body’s equilibrium, bringing on feelings and symptoms of anxiety. Caffeine intake is linked to anxiety attacks, as are common medicines like birth control, diet pills, and cough medicine.
Cutting back on caffeine and paying attention to your diet are a good place to start. If your anxiety might be linked to a change in medication, speak with a healthcare professional.
Financial Stress
Especially in a time of high inflation or financial uncertainty, money is a huge source of anxiety for many people. A tight financial situation can lead to stress over performance in the workplace. This is especially true when you share your finances with a partner or spouse whose approach to spending differs from your own.
The best way to handle financial stress is to take some time out to build a budget, manage your spending, and consider seeking outside help.
Relationship Stress
As wonderful as relationships can be, they’re also a pretty big source of stress. If you’re spending a lot of time worrying about your romantic situation or the status of your relationship with your partner, it’s a good sign that you may need to take a step back and examine where that’s coming from. In cases such as these, connecting with a therapist can be enormously helpful in giving you a place to process and work through your concerns, especially if you don’t feel safe communicating with your romantic partner.
Preventing Anxiety Attacks
When you start to feel an anxiety attack coming on, carve out space for yourself to take a minute to calm down. Acknowledge the attack, excuse yourself by going to the bathroom or somewhere private if possible, and focus on using breathing techniques to slow down and give your thoughts room to work their way through you.
If your anxiety attacks are causing trouble for you at work or home, consider contacting us for help. Anxiety therapy can help you manage your symptoms and prevent these attacks from happening.
