Can A Panic Attack Cause Fever

Symptoms Of A Panic Attack:

During panic attacks people can experience a variety of symptoms, but some common ones include:

• A sudden and intense feeling of fear or anxiety
• Sweating or trembling
• Shortness of breath or breathing too quickly
• Feeling sick

• We are now hearing loss of taste and smell are also common indicators

The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it’s possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you’re in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Like this article? to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

What You Can Do

To get through a panic attack, try to take control of your breathing first. Find a place where you can sit or be comfortable. Concentrate on making your breath slow and even. Try to inhale through your nose for 4 seconds, hold it for 2 seconds, then exhale through your mouth for 6 seconds. Tell yourself that youâre not in danger and that the attack will pass.

If youâre not sure if youâre having a panic attack, itâs a good idea to go to the hospital to rule out any other health problems.

Panic disorder is one of the most treatable types of anxiety disorders. Medication and a type of talk therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy can help. See your doctor if you have panic attacks often.

Harvard Health Publications: âUnderstanding the Stress Response.â

Robertson, D. Primer on the Autonomic Nervous System, Second Edition, Elsevier Academic Press, 2004.

The BMJ: âPanic Disorder.â

Biological Psychiatry: âDo Unexpected Panic Attacks Occur Spontaneously?â âFunctional t1Ï Imaging in Panic Disorder.â

Psychological Medicine: âDistinct Phasic and Sustained Brain Responses and Connectivity of Amygdala and Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis During Threat Anticipation in Panic Disorder.â

The Journal of Neuroscience: âReduced Serotonin Type 1A Receptor Binding in Panic Disorder.â

Mayo Clinic: âPanic Attacks and Panic Disorder.â

American Academy of Family Physicians: âPanic Disorder.â

Centre for Clinical Interventions : âPanic Stations.â

The Physiology Of A Panic Attack

When confronted with danger, the brain activates a sub-section of our nervous system called the Sympathetic Nervous System. It is this system thats responsible for gearing the body up for action.

Its got a partner called the Parasympathetic Nervous system that calms the body down once the threat has passed.

Knowing what these two systems do helps us to understand what causes panic attacks. So bear with me on this one.

The sympathetic nervous system primes our body for action with the fight or flight response. The parasympathetic nervous system returns us to a normal state after the panic attack has run its course.

Think of it like breathing. You inhale pressure builds. You exhale the body relaxes.

But panic attacks are stubborn. Theres always a period of intense discomfort. Rapid heart rate. Tense muscles. Clammy hands. Trouble breathing behold, the physiology of panic.

Coping skills like grounding techniques and breathing exercises jump-start the parasympathetic nervous system into action. But it eventually activates whether we want it to or not. The body cant continue an ever-increasing spiral of anxiety.

Not convinced?

Try holding your breath for as long as you can. No matter how strong your will is, you cant hold your breath until you die. Thats not how our bodies work and thats a good thing. Panic attacks work in a similar way

You cant die from a panic attack. The Parasympathetic Nervous System will kick in long before that happens.

You May Like: Meaning Of Phobic

Childhood Infections May Increase Risk Of Anxiety Disorder

Additionally, children who develop a severe infection in their first year of life may be at greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder later in childhood and adolescence. 6

The data suggest that early severe infection may be related to increased likelihood of major depression, overanxious disorder, separation anxiety, and specific phobia, compared to those without infection, who were not exposed to infection early in life.6

What Is A Psychogenic Fever

A psychogenic fever is an increase in body temperature caused by stress. It is sometimes referred to as stress-induced hyperthermia.

Psychogenic fevers are diagnosed when body temperature is above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit while someone is experiencing acute or chronic stress, according to a 2015 scientific paper in the journal Temperature. Other typical causes of fever, like infection or illness, must be ruled out.

Doctors dont understand exactly why this happens, according to Miller Parrish, but they believe that either the brain increases temperature in response to stress, or that stress hormones interact with the endocrine system and lead to an increase in body temperature.

For example, a 2020 study published in the journal Science found that the stress response affects the hypothalamus in rats, which is the area of the brain that controls body temperature. But more research is needed to determine whether this is the case for humans.

Psychogenic fevers can occur at any age, and seem to occur more commonly in females than in males. However, because there hasnt been a large body of research, there isnt precise and consistent data.

It is difficult to know the true prevalence of psychogenic fever because it may not be reported as much as it exists, Miller Parrish says. If we took all people with any kind of stress, and noted a portion of that total had stress-induced hyperthermia, it would be quite a high number.

Also Check: 3 Stages Of Schizophrenia

Physical Symptoms Of Panic Attacks:

• Feeling faint, dizzy or light-headed
• Chest pains and shortness of breath – tightness of the chest and feeling as though its a struggle to breathe
• A racing or pounding heart
• Hyperventilating

• Paranoia
• Hopelessness, confusion and frustration
• Constantly worrying about when your next panic attack will happen, which can prevent you from enjoying your everyday life
• Drugs and alcohol abuse as a way of self-medicating to help you to manage and cope with your panic attacks. Substance abuse may lead to a harmful addiction which can hinder your recovery and lead to further problems
• Feeling tearful and emotionally tired finding that you are crying more than usual and for no apparent reason
• Difficulty concentrating
• Exacerbation of any pre-existing mental health problems including anxiety, depression, stress, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder ,

Never Assume The Source Of Your Fever

While anxiety may be a source for your body’s temperature, you should never assume that is the case. After all, a fever is often the first sign that your body is trying to fight off numerous illnesses. Always check in with your doctor to make sure that your fever is not linked to an underlying medical issue that may need to be treated.

Also Check: Phobia Of Puking

How To Manage The Physical Effects That Anxiety Has On Your Body

As weâve mentioned previously, the physical effects that anxiety can have on the body are often just as challenging to deal with as the effect it has mentally. Thankfully, there are still plenty of self-care related adjustments you can make in your life in order to cope with the physical symptoms of anxiety. Here are just a few suggestions in terms of managing your symptoms:

• Maintaining a healthy diet. Try limiting your sugar and carb intake as much as you can and opt for healthier choices that will provide your body with more energy like high fiber and unsaturated fats. Youâll also want to avoid substances that could actually make your anxiety worse, such as alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine.
• Being physically active. Frequent exercise not only helps release chemicals that can boost your mood and allow you to feel happier, but itâs also great for your physical health. While reducing your stress in general and also strengthening your body physically, exercising is a great coping strategy to reduce a variety of symptoms. It can also help improve your sleep!
• Utilizing relaxation techniques. Yoga and meditation are just two examples of relaxation strategies that you can try. Breathing exercises are great for calming down, and can actually relax the body physically such as by slowing heart rate. Relaxation and mindfulness techniques are a great way to relieve stress and physical tension in the body, and also distract and ground oneself mentally.

You Might Also Like…

Can Anxiety Make You Feel Feverish

In some cases, anxiety can make you feel feverish without actually increasing your body temperature. In other cases, it can cause a recordable fever.

Fever is defined as a body temperature of 100.4 F or more and is usually a sign of infection. However, it can occur due to other causes as well, such as heat exhaustion or hormonal disorders. With anxiety or panic attacks, the rise in temperature may be a result of high levels of stress hormones in your body that increase blood flow to your heart.

Also Check: Anxiety Cause Fainting

Rapid Change In Body Temperature

During times of anxiety, the body prepares to enter into fight-or-flight mode, essentially preparing for battle. In a way, the body instantly and automatically prepares to face danger .

One of the ways the body does this is by lowering the internal body temperature . The lowering of body temperature occurs in preparation for the body to drastically increase its temperature during the fight/flight mode. This lowered body temperature can often contribute to the sensation of chills. After a period of time, the body adjusts to the cold, often enabling the person to feel normal again.

Tips For Helping Someone With An Anxiety Disorder:

• Make no assumptionsask the person what they need.
• Be predictabledon’t surprise the person.
• Let the person with the disorder set the pace for recovery.
• Find something positive in every small step towards recovery.
• Don’t help the person avoid their fears.
• Maintain your own life so you don’t resent the person with the disorder.
• Don’t panic when the person with the disorder panics, but realize it’s natural to be concerned with them.
• Be patient and accepting, but don’t settle for the affected person being permanently disabled.
• Say encouraging words such as: “You can do it no matter how you feel. I am proud of you. Tell me what you need now. Breathe slow and low. Stay in the present. It’s not the place that’s bothering you, it’s the thought. I know that what you are feeling is painful, but it’s not dangerous. You are courageous.”
• Avoid saying things like: “Don’t be anxious. Let’s see if you can do this. You can fight this. What should we do next? Don’t be ridculous. You have to stay. Don’t be a coward.” These phrases tend to blame the individual for the anxiety.

Read Also: Celine Dion Eating Disorder

What Are Different Types Of Anxiety Disorders

While everyone deals with anxious feelings at some point, whether its fear or apprehension regarding specific situations, the anxiety is typically temporary and short-lived. It may even give you the extra boost or impetus you need to achieve a goal.

However, when anxiety is overwhelming, persistent, and affects your ability to function, it is classified as anxiety disorder. Examples of anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder : GAD is characterized by excessive fear or apprehension about finances, health, relationships, work or school performance, etc. In order to be classified as GAD, symptoms may persist most days for at least 6 months and may interfere with sleep, relationships, and performance at work and school. The person may feel restless and irritable and find it difficult to focus on tasks, personal well-being, or even simple conversations.
• Panic disorder: This type of anxiety disorder is characterized by panic attacks, which is a sudden feeling of terror in the absence of danger. A person with panic disorder tends to have several attacks that come suddenly and subside over several minutes. Panic attacks can start at any time without any warning signs.
• Phobias: A phobia is an excessive, irrational fear of something that isnt actually that harmful. Encountering something triggers the phobia can lead to symptoms such as sweating, heart palpitations, and difficulty breathing. Examples of phobias include:

Recognizing Panic Attack Symptoms

The particular symptoms of a panic attack will vary depending on the personand not every panic attack mimics what you might see on TV or in movies. But typically, Chambless says, in addition to a sudden onset of anxiety and fear, a panic attack is accompanied by four or more of the following symptoms, which are outlined in a widely used professional guidebook Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic:

Don’t Miss: Bipolar And Bpd Comorbid

How To Tell If Stress Is Causing Your Fever

A psychogenic fever exhibits many of the typical fever symptoms, such as:

• Body chills or aches
• Fatigue

In the case of acute stress, like if you suddenly receive bad news or experience the death of a loved one, you might feel these symptoms and recognize a psychogenic fever. But cases are rarely so clear cut. Thats especially true with chronic stress, like taking care of a loved one who is ill, which can build up over time and result in psychogenic fever symptoms.

To diagnose psychogenic fever, other physical causes of fever must be ruled out, Miller Parrish says. Its important to note that fever most commonly occurs with illness or injury. So, if youre also experiencing symptoms like nasal congestion or coughing with fever, its likely indicating an underlying cause for the fever other than stress, like the cold or flu.

If you experience fever regularly but cant easily identify the underlying cause like an illness or injury you should keep a fever journal, Miller Parrish says. Record what temperature youre experiencing, the symptoms you have, and how long the fever lasts. If the unexplained fever continues, you should see a doctor.

If that persists for days to weeks, it would be prudent to see a doctor to rule out causes that need medical treatment, Miller Parrish says. If those causes are ruled out or treated and the high temperatures persist, other psychological and de-stressing interventions may help.

Anxiety And The Chills: Causes Symptoms Connection And Safe Proven Solution

• Chills are a common symptom of anxiety
• Scientists are unclear of the exact cause of chills, but have some theories
• Chills may also be a warning sign of an incoming anxiety attack
• There are a few simple steps to address an ongoing problem with chills
• Overcoming anxiety is the only way to stop the chills from recurring

Recommended Reading: What Is The Phobia Of Throwing Up Called

You Cant Help But Focus On The Negatives

Anxiety has a pesky way of making you forget about the good things in life, while making it super easy to zero in on the negatives. If youâre dealing with a situation, a rational outlook involves realistically examining the positives and negatives, says Bennett. However, people with anxiety tend to focus primarily on the possible negative outcomes and dwell on those exclusively. If you constantly think about how a situation will fail and canât seem to shake that negativity, it could come from anxiety. If you are struggling to shift your perspective and focus on the positives, you may want to seek help for this issue by speaking with someone you trust, or a therapist.

The Similarity In Symptoms Could Create More Fear

• Find a therapist to overcome anxiety

Many people suffer from anxiety daily. And with the general public now experiencing anxiety about COVID-19, those regular anxiety sufferers could feel that things have reached a new level of panicperhaps resulting in a list of symptoms that are similar to those of the coronavirus . Many who experience panic attacks and anxiety can feel like theyre dying when they arent. This is especially true for those people who arent already familiar with the many symptoms of anxiety.

Its important to know the difference between anxiety and the virus so that if youre experiencing anxiety, you wont run to the hospital thinking youve contracted coronavirus. Although there are similarities, there are some major differences between the two sets of symptoms that are important to keep in mind.

What are anxiety symptoms, and how do they differ from coronavirus symptoms?

Even though each individual suffering from anxiety may have unique symptoms, theres a common experience associated with anxiety: irrational fear and dread. If youve been particularly worked up and stressed about the virus and thinking about a scary future, thats likely a sign that youre experiencing more intense anxiety than usual. That can send your body into overdrive and bring about some unusual symptoms that you might not recognize. Some of the more common anxiety symptoms include:

• Fever
• Difficulty breathing
• Dry cough

You May Like: In Which Of The Following Phases Of Schizophrenia Are The Psychotic Symptoms Most Prominent

What Are The Physical Symptoms Of Anxiety

Anxiety and panic attacks are just as much physical states as they are mental ones

When we think of anxiety symptoms, we often think of a mental health condition that induces feelings of worry, concern, fear and nervousness. But, although we are absolutely correct to assume that this is a problem that starts in the brain, it is actually just as much a physical state as a mental one and can trigger physical anxiety symptoms, too.

Anxiety is the feeling you have when you think that something unpleasant is going to happen in the future. Other words such as feeling apprehensive, uncertain, nervous and on edge also provide a good description of feelings linked to anxiety, explains Nicky Lidbetter, CEO of Anxiety UK, in her guide Understanding Anxiety.

It is useful to understand the broad array of physical anxiety symptoms that someone with an anxiety disorder or panic disorder can feel both during a panic attack and on a daily basis. Knowing that lots of physical sensations are symptoms of anxiety can reassure an anxious mind that they are not suffering from a more serious health condition.

It also reminds them that these physical feelings, however easy to misinterpret, are not in their heads they are very real and have plausible, scientific explanations.

Read Also: Prodromal Definition Psychology