Some people mentally fight anxiety by becoming preoccupied with work, finances, their health, or any number of things. Many people experience an extreme form of anxiety that hits like a lightning bolt out of a clear blue sky. Sometimes breathing becomes so rapid, a person gasps for air while his heart pounds with an increasing velocity. Other symptoms include sudden perspiration, uncontrollable trembling, numbness, dizziness, or inability to swallow. Someone who has experienced constant anxiety or nervousness may never have such an anxiety attack, whereas a person who never had problems with anxiety may develop a serious problem without any apparent reason.
Extreme anxiety can also occur without any association to a particular event or situation.
For instance, a person may simply wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air. Extreme anxiety, however, is frequently associated with a particular circumstance. After that initial episode, it's understandable the person could be traumatized and become anxious about future participation in the activity he associates with the extreme anxiety. For some people, just thinking about being alone might trigger extreme anxiety. Such individuals seek security in the company of other people, on the phone, or in person.