- Why do we find it so difficult to control anxiety?
- What triggers an anxiety attack, both emotionally and physically?
- What are the first symptoms?
- Can an anxiety attack be prevented?
- If we start to notice the first symptoms, what should we do?
- Are the symptoms the same for everyone? In other words, if we've had one anxiety attack, should we look for the same symptoms to detect a second one?
- What should we never do if we are having an anxiety attack?
- What should I do to avoid self-harm when I have an anxiety attack?
- How can we help someone having an anxiety attack? Should we give them space, or should we hug and comfort them?
- Can everyone have an anxiety attack, or are some people more prone to it?
- What guidelines do you give to prevent anxiety attacks?
- Are the symptoms of an anxiety attack in children different from those in adults?
- What tools can we apply during an anxiety crisis manifested by stomach pain, vomiting, or crying that can cause a rapid mood improvement in a 12-year-old adolescent girl?
- Is there a phrase or keyword that can help someone experiencing a crisis? If we agree on that phrase or word with them beforehand, can it help?
- Which people are more likely to experience anxiety before an exam or a job interview?
- Can an anxiety attack cause a rise in blood pressure?
- If we have persistent anxiety attacks over time, can we develop heart problems?
- Can an anxiety attack be masking a physical ailment? How can we tell if physical pain is truly caused by anxiety?
- In the event of an anxiety attack during a game or sporting competition, how should the coaches act?
- What is the relationship between anxiety and social phobia?
- As nurses, how can we help in an anxiety crisis?
- Often we're tempted to intervene, but sometimes less is more... And I understand that someone experiencing an anxiety attack also needs their space. What do you recommend not doing? What mistakes do you think healthcare professionals make most frequently?
- How can we manage an anxiety attack in the 10 or 12 minutes we have available in a consultation to see patients? Are there any express tools for professional support and help?
If we start to notice the first symptoms, what should we do?
It often depends on the situation, or whether we want a temporary or long-term solution.
For example, we're often told, "If you're having an attack, sit down and breathe." While this can be a helpful solution, in some cases it can actually make us more anxious when we realize how difficult it is to "control" the situation.
Another option is, for example, taking an anxiolytic, but that's a temporary fix that might be useful in the moment, but in the long run, it doesn't take away our fear, but rather maintains it and doesn't help us in the long term.
We know that feelings are frightening, and fear persists when we avoid or flee from them. Therefore, in the long run, we should learn to cope with these symptoms and situations differently. So, it's not so much about controlling the symptoms, but about focusing on the activity at hand and letting the feelings pass . Sometimes, the more we do, the more we pay attention and the longer we make it last.
Besides knowing how to cope with the crisis, we'll need to do a number of things to keep our mood and baseline anxiety levels stable. This will help us prevent further attacks.
