Panic attacks and anxiety disorders affect over 2 million Americans and women have a higher risk than men, according to WebMD.com. A person that has an anxiety attack will feel uncomfortable and experience an sudden acute feeling of overwhelm and panic. Anxiety attacks can occur on a regular basis, or randomly in people of all ages. Here are some of the symptoms of a panic attack:

1. Difficulty speaking and concentrating. One sign that a person is suffering from extreme anxiety or a panic attack is when they have difficulty speaking properly and focusing. They may stumble upon their words, stutter, and feel like they can’t get their thoughts under control.

2. Chest pains or tightness. It is typical of people who suffer from anxiety to have difficulty breathing before and during an attack. The inability to breathe normally may cause severe chest pains or tightness and difficulty swallowing.

3. Excessive energy. People who are “always on the go” may not realize they are experiencing anxiety symptoms. They may feel like they can’t relax or will experience long periods of restlessness or agitation. This is a little known anxiety symptom and is often ignored.

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 or a racing heart. People who are about to have an anxiety attack often feel like their “heart is about to beat out of their chest.” Elevated blood pressure and increase in heart rate are two of the most common symptoms of an anxiety problem.

6. Extreme cravings for sugar and sweets. People who frequently suffer from anxiety tend to indulge in food that is high in saturated fat and carbohydrates in order to relieve their anxiety. If too much food is consumed at one sitting or these kinds of food are eaten too often, the person may suffer from other health problems. Food can only numb anxiety symptoms temporarily; as soon as the “high” wears off, the anxiety attack or anxiety problems will return, and may get worse.

7. Extreme fatigue. Constant stress on the mind and body from an anxiety attack or anxiety problems can leave the person feeling worn out and extremely fatigued. Anxiety triggers several chemical reactions in the body that directly affect the central nervous system. This can leave the person feeling drained of energy, and unable to get enough rest to recover.

The signs and symptoms of an anxiety attack differs and it may be more difficult to notice in some people. How severe the attack will be depends on the individual’s chemical makeup, how frequently attacks occur, 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.

Even though anxiety can cause many physical, emotional and social problems, most anxiety problems can be corrected with lifestyle changes, dietary supplements, medical intervention or with an anxiety treatment program.