What Causes Anxiety Attacks: A Brief Look

What Causes Anxiety Attacks: A Brief Look

A sudden onset of panic can be defined as an onset of intense fear or apprehension that can last anywhere from ten minutes to hours at a time. They are relatively brief in duration, and are prone to strike without warning in some of the most unsuspecting situations. Anyone who has had to suffer from this condition knows that this "nervous breakdown" is no joking matter. Here we will discuss what causes anxiety attacks. First of all, the symptoms of a panic attack are hard to pin down, but the main characteristics are discussed here. The victim may primarily feel faint, intensely sick to the stomach, and experience a feeling of intense fear or terror that is usually irrational and unrealistic. He or she may experience a numbing feeling in the arms, legs, feet and hands. There might be pains in his chest. This usually leads the victim to believe that he is having a heart attack. In many cases 911 is called out for a heart attack but the heart is functioning fine. The feeling of the heart "skipping" or "jumping" inside the chest is caused by improper breathing. Hyperventilation is the culprit behind this common symptom. An attack can last for hours, or it can last for a few minutes. Oftentimes victims of this condition experience their symptoms at night and therefore have a difficult time sleeping. People regularly call 911, thinking that they are having a heart attack, since the symptoms are extremely similar. There are many causes that contribute to the commonly known panic attack. In many cases it is merely biological. A chemical imbalance in the body can lead one's temperament to swing drastically, from angry to terrified. Although this is probably more closely identified with bipolar disorder, the same type of chemical imbalance can cause feelings of intense fear. Being under a level of high stress can also cause panicky symptoms. A difficult work environment or an unhappy family life can lead to abrupt emotional highs and lows, paving the way for an attack. Abuse or fear of one person, object or place can also set off another bout. Another factor that should be considered is medication. Prescription drugs have been known to cause not only physical, but mental side-effects as well, including hallucinations and synthetically induced emotions that can include fear and apprehension. Traumatic situations can cause anxiety attacks. Being involved in a car accident, shooting or witnessing something extremely harrowing can cause panic to strike long after the fact, sometimes known as "aftershock." Soldiers that are returning home from a war zone often experience PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which harbors many similar symptoms. To combat an anxiety attack, some people recommend breathing into a paper bag. This forces the victim to slow down, breathe deeply and to calm themselves. Sometimes finding a physical object, such as a window, door or even calming music can help provide "mental insurance" for the person who is under a strong feeling of apprehension and may feel as if they are trapped. It is also important to keep things relatively positive in the environment of someone recovering from this condition. Understanding what causes anxiety attacks can be the key to preventing them. Make sure you always continue to learn more about this debilitating condition to empower yourself to prevent future attacks.

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