Anxiety attack is a serious medical condition that affects the lives of millions of Americans. The condition is characterized by an extreme onset of fear, anxiety and/or panic that usually lasts for several minutes. It can occur randomly or can be triggered by specific situations. In any case, identifying the symptoms of the condition is the first step towards a solution. Listed below are the common symptoms associated with anxiety attacks.

1. Difficulty speaking and concentrating. The person experiencing an anxiety attack or extreme anxiety typically has difficulty getting focused and speaking properly. They may stumble upon their words, stutter, and feel like they can't get their thoughts under control.

2. Chest pains or tightness. Someone who has a tendency of having anxiety attacks usually stops breathing properly. This can cause severe chest pains or tightness, difficulty swallowing, and from limited oxygen intake.

3. Always in a hurry. This is a common symptom of anxiety disorders that is often taken for granted. Sufferers may be seen moving in a frenetic pace since they always feel restless and agitated.

4. Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. Most people who are about to have a full-blown anxiety attack will start to breathe in a shallow manner, limiting their oxygen intake. This can cause numbness in the hands and feet, especially if they are sitting in a constricted position.

5. Heart palpitations. Sufferers may also experience heart palpitations due to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Sufferers often compare the feeling to having a heart attack.

6. Increased appetite for comfort foods. Sufferers usually relieve their feelings by eating fatty and sweet foods. These foods only make the problem worse since they only provide a short-term relief to stress. After the effect wears off, sufferers will return to their previous state or may even feel worse off.

7. Fatigue and exhaustion. Anxiety attacks sufferers may feel constant fatigue since the condition causes a lot of stress to their minds and body. In addition, they usually cannot recover from the stress since they cannot get quality rest and sleep.

Anxiety symptoms vary from person to person, and may be more pronounced in some people than in others. The intensity and effects of an anxiety attack can occur based on the person's chemical makeup, frequency of other attacks, and other factors. Recognizing these symptoms as they happen can help to understand what is triggering an anxiety attack or general feelings of anxiety, and what needs to be done to correct the problem.

Treatment for anxiety must be customized for each individual case. Treatment options usually include mental therapy, lifestyle changes, dietary changes and medical intervention.