subject: Don't Panic: What Causes Panic Attacks? [print this page] Determining what causes panic attacks can be difficult, since anxiety and panic is the natural reply of our body towards danger. These becomes problem when anxiety and fear starts acting up for no apparent reason. The failure of our body to respond naturally is thought to be the reason behind panic attack causes. Knowing the cause for irrational fear is one way to identify the problem.
Biologically, panic or fear is the natural response of the body to threat. A sudden surge of fear can be defined as the fight or flight ability of an individual. It is coined as such since the effect of it is either staying to fight or fleeing from the threat. The purpose of which is protecting ourselves from danger.
Panic attacks may hit a person suddenly and without any warning. There is no definite answer as to what triggers the attack since this may also occur when the person is relaxed or sleeping. Some people may go through a panic attack as a one-time experience but some people go through recurring episodes. Repeat panic attacks may be determined through situations and instances like phobias which may have been the cause of a previous attack.
Another trigger for a panic episode is when a person starts hyperventilating. This may occur when a person takes in more oxygen and less of carbon dioxide which may result to heart palpitations and wooziness. This is already considered as a panic attack symptom and this may heighten to a full panic episode.
Drug dependency may also be a reason of what causes panic attacks. Medicine like benzodiazepine which is used in the treatment of panic attack if used improperly might develop into an addiction and withdrawal from which may cause sudden episodes.
Biological disorder can also be a cause of panic attack. OCD, being hypoglycemic and genetic diseases are examples. Vitamin B deficiency resulting from bad dieting and viral infections can also trigger a panic attack.
Like any other hereditary problems, children of parents who have been exposed to panic attacks are likely to contract the condition themselves. People who grew in a stressful situation may likely get panic attacks as well as those who have experienced traumatic experiences.
The definite causes of panic attacks may be unclear and there is a probability that it may run in families. A connection to life changing moments has been established as well. Stress factors like death of a relative or loved one, a divorce or losing a job may also cause a panic attack.
Panic attacks can also be caused by medical problems and physical disabilities. When a person suddenly experiences a panic attack, medical treatment should immediately be sought in order to eliminate the possibilities of hypoglycemia, hyper/hypothyroidism and substance use.
It should also be known that panic attack may affect and happen to people at different rates. Individuals with a strong hold in emotion may not get panic attacks even if exposed in the same environment. It is important to know the causes of a panic attack in an individual in order to know the right approach to use.
