What is anxiety attack
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Understanding Anxiety Attacks: Key Features and Clinical Insights
Definition and Symptoms of Anxiety Attacks
Anxiety attacks, often referred to as panic attacks, are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that reach a peak within minutes. These episodes are characterized by a range of physical and emotional symptoms. Common physical symptoms include palpitations, dizziness, trembling, and shortness of breath, while emotional symptoms may involve feelings of impending doom, fear of losing control, or fear of dying1 2.
Anxiety Sensitivity and Its Role
Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is a significant factor in the development and experience of anxiety attacks. AS refers to the fear of anxiety-related sensations, stemming from beliefs that these sensations have harmful consequences. Individuals with high AS are more likely to experience panic attacks and may have a heightened fear of situations that could trigger these sensations3. This sensitivity is distinct from other fundamental fears and is more strongly related to conditions like agoraphobia3.
Anxious-Depressive Attack (ADA): A Related Condition
Anxious-Depressive Attack (ADA) is a proposed symptom complex that shares similarities with anxiety attacks but includes additional features. ADA involves sudden, intense distressing emotions without a direct psychological cause, intrusive memories of negative events, and worry and agitation about these ruminations. Unlike typical panic attacks, ADA is dominated by emotional and cognitive disturbances rather than physical symptoms1 2. Patients with ADA often exhibit behaviors such as deliberate self-harm as a coping mechanism1.
Clinical Significance and Prevalence
Research indicates that ADA is relatively common among individuals with anxiety and mood disorders. In a study of 331 new outpatients, the incidence of ADA was found to be 43.2%. ADA was particularly prevalent among younger patients with more severe depression and social anxiety2. Additionally, in patients with panic disorder (PD), ADA often preceded panic attacks and was correlated with the severity of depression and social anxiety, but not with panic symptoms themselves2.
Relationship Between Anxiety Disorders and Panic Attacks
There is a significant relationship between anxiety disorders and the occurrence of panic attacks. For instance, a study involving final-year students at STIKes Buleleng found a strong correlation between anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Students experiencing high levels of anxiety were more likely to suffer from panic attacks, which in turn affected their daily behavior and academic performance4.
Conclusion
Anxiety attacks are intense episodes of fear that can significantly impact an individual's life. Understanding the role of anxiety sensitivity and related conditions like Anxious-Depressive Attack (ADA) can help in better managing and treating these episodes. Recognizing the prevalence and clinical significance of these conditions is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies and improving patient outcomes.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Anxious-Depressive Attack: An Overlooked Condition A Case Report
Anxious-Depressive Attack (ADA) is a unique but common syndrome characterized by intense distressing emotions and cognitive storms, often leading to self-harm.
Case ReportDistinctive Clinical Features of “Anxious-Depressive Attack”
Anxious-depressive attack (ADA) is a relatively common symptom complex in anxiety and mood disorders, correlated with social anxiety severity and exhibiting a "seesaw" phenomenon in panic disorder patients.
Observational StudyAnxiety sensitivity: theoretical perspectives and recent findings.
Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is a multifactorial condition that is more strongly related to agoraphobia than other common fears, and is associated with increased risk of panic attacks.
Literature Review
Highly CitedTHE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANXIETY DISORDER AND PANIC ATTACK TOWARD FINAL YEAR STUDENTS AT STIKES BULELENG
Anxiety disorder and panic attacks are linked to final-year students at STIKes Buleleng preparing their thesis.
The anxious-depressive attack severity scale: development and initial validation and reliability
The Anxious-Depressive Attack Severity Scale (ADAS) shows sufficient reliability and validity for measuring the severity of anxious-depressive attacks, but has insufficient internal consistency for assessing frequency and coping behaviors.
Observational Study
Very Rigorous Journal[Stress, anxiety, panic. Panic attack and panic disorder. A new psychiatric concept].
The new psychiatric model (DSM III) emphasizes panic disorder and panic attacks, with behavioral and cognitive treatments being useful, and general anxiety disorder being a "residual category".
Anxiety sensitivity and panic disorder
Elevated anxiety sensitivity is a risk factor for panic and panic disorder, and cognitive behavioral treatment and imipramine can help reduce this risk.
Highly CitedThe anxious-depressive attack severity scale: development and initial validation and reliability
The Anxious-Depressive Attack Severity Scale (ADAS) has sufficient reliability and validity for measuring the severity of anxious-depressive attacks, but its internal consistency is insufficient for the second factor.
Very Rigorous JournalAnxiety Assessment in Polish Students during the Russian–Ukrainian War
Higher levels of anxiety were found in female students during the Russian-Ukrainian War, with fear of an armed attack on Poland significantly impacting anxiety levels.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalAnxiety attacks with or without life-threatening situations, major depressive disorder, and suicide attempt: a nationwide community sample of Korean adults
Anxiety attacks, regardless of life-threatening situations, are associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts, especially when accompanied by comorbid major depressive disorder.
Observational StudyRigorous Journal