Anxiety Symptoms & Chest Pain

Many people with anxiety disorders complain of having chest pain or discomfort. These pains can come unexpectantly at any time. Sufferers may feel that they have a serious physical problem, but are usually informed that the chest pains are nothing to be fearful of. There are many treatments available to alleviate this discomfort.

Chest pain caused by anxiety?

Chest pain is just one of the many symptoms of anxiety, a mental illness that affects people both physically and emotionally. According to panic-anxiety.com, around 80 percent of anxiety sufferers experience some form of chest discomfort.

Description of chest pain

Anxiety can bring about panic attacks, in which adrenaline is released to excite the body for a "fight-or-flight" situation. This is generally where chest pain begins. Heartdisease.about.com says that the pain is usually localized to the chest wall, and can be fleeting and sharp, or can be a sharp "catch" that interrupts a breath. The wall can remain sore for hours or days after a panic attack.

Anxiety attack or heart attack?

Many people who experience chest pain from anxiety or panic attacks believe that they are having a heart attack. These anxiety chest pains generally last only a few minutes, while chest pains from a heart attack typically last longer than 10 minutes. Typically, someone who suffers an anxiety attack will go to see a doctor, only to find nothing physically wrong.

What causes chest pain from anxiety?

There is no single explanation as to why chest pains occur from anxiety. According to anxietyguru.net, it could be due to prolonged stress, gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal spasm, or simply panic attacks.

Treatment

When anxiety sufferers experience chest discomfort, they end up becoming fearful of another attack, and begin a vicious cycle of "pain-fear-pain." For dealing with anxiety symptoms, many doctors will recommend seeing a psychologist, who can provide coping strategies for dealing with chest discomfort. Doctors might also prescribe anti-anxiety medication, such as Zoloft, Lexapro, or Effexor, for either short- or long-term treatment. Exercise and change of diet may also be recommended.

Resources

• Information on anxiety symptoms and discussion from anxiety sufferers