An anxiety attack, basically, is the sudden and unprovoked onset of intense fear. A person who is having an anxiety attack might suddenly be convinced that he or she is going to die or that somebody is going to be hurt. The person won't know what triggered this sudden fearfulness and, they might not be able to calm themselves down. Often, in an anxiety attack (or panic attack), the sudden unexplained fearfulness causes the victim to feel even more fearful.

The cause of anxiety attacks is not known. Sometimes a person might have an attack because they have been forced to enter a situation in which they aren't comfortable. Sometimes a person will have one because they are under a lot of stress and eventually the stress overwhelms him (or her). Nobody knows what exactly triggers an attack, and they vary from person to person.

Scientists and caregivers have figured out that people who are prone to mental health problems are more prone to anxiety attacks than those who do not suffer from mental health problems. Some of the problems that increase the frequency or intensity are clinical depression, alcoholism, or drug abuse. They also tend to run in families. If you are related to someone who has panic attacks, or bouts of anxiety, it is highly likely that you might experience them as well.

Unfortunately, there are no real tests that will tell you whether or not you have an anxiety disorder. Many times they resemble the symptoms of other health issues, like the beginnings of a heart attack. When this happens, it is the physical symptoms that are treated rather than figuring out if the symptoms relate to a physical disorder or an anxiety disorder. The symptoms are so varied that it is very hard to tell definitively whether or not a person's suffering is anxiety related.

If you find that you are suffering from anxiety attacks often, it is important that you seek help. There are many treatment methods available today that do not involve taking drugs. This is not something that you just have to live with. You will want to check out our website as it offers a good amount of help in this area.

The good news is that an anxiety attack (or panic attack) is not life threatening. While you are suffering through one, it might feel like your health is in danger, but if you learn how to calm yourself down and practice regular relaxation techniques, you won't have to worry about the attacks for very long. It is important for sufferers to talk about their feelings and symptoms with their friends and family. A support system is one of the best ways to keep them at bay.