10 Physical Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
Article Sources
- 1. 'Anxiety Disorders.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 4 May 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
- 2. 'Calm Your Anxious Heart.' Harvard Health, 1 Oct. 2019, www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/calm-your-anxious-heart
- 3. 'What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety?' British Lung Foundation, 22 Apr. 2021, www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/looking-after-your-mental-health/anxiety/symptoms
- 4. 'How to Calm an Anxious Stomach: The Brain-Gut Connection.' Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, 19 July 2018, adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/how-calm-anxious-stomach-brain-gut-connection
Panic Breathing
Vital oxygen is carried throughout the body via the blood. When anxiety causes someone's heart rate to increase, the rate of breathing quickens to provide more oxygen. Someone in an anxiety attack may feel as if they can't get enough air, increasing inhalation to a fast, shallow pace. Their breathing may feel out of control and uncoordinated.
Breathing too quickly can disrupt the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide. For these reasons, people undergoing an anxiety attack are advised to actively slow and relax respiration.
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