(HealthDay News) -- Anxiety attacks cause sudden, severe and sometimes paralyzing fear, often for no apparent reason.

The American Academy of Family Physicians lists these common symptoms of an anxiety attack:

  • Feeling shortness of breath or a choking feeling.
  • Tightness or pain in the chest, and rapid or pounding heart.
  • Rapid pulse.
  • Dizziness, nausea, sweating and lightheadedness.
  • Shaking or trembling.
  • Hot flashes, chills or feelings of tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
  • Feelings of a dream-like state, losing control or going crazy.