subject: Causes and Triggers of Panic Attacks [print this page] Causes and Triggers of Panic Attacks Causes and Triggers of Panic Attacks
In recent years panic attacks have become a major problem with the percentage of people suffering from this problem increasing every year. Here we will study the causes and triggers for these panic attacks. Such study will help people become more aware of this ailment and assist them in taking correct steps for its prevention.
Various Causes & Triggers
Some of the most common causes & trigger for these attacks are:
Long term heredity problem
Biological causes
Phobias
Short term triggers
Lack of assertiveness
Medication
Drug withdrawal
Hyperventilation syndrome
Situational triggers
Pharmacological triggers
Serious illness
Now in the following sections we will closely look at all these different causes and triggers of panic attacks.
Long Term Heredity Causes
Many times it has been seen that such problems continues within the family. In case of twins the chances increase further and if one of the twins has the problem then the likelihood that the other twin will also have similar problem are in the range of 30% - 90%.
Biological Causes
You can face such problem if you have hypoglycemia, labyrinthitis, Wilson's disease, phechromocytoma, compulsive disorder, parasitic infections and hyperthyroidism.
Phobias
You are likely to have a panic attack if somehow you get exposed to any phobic situation or physical object which you are scared of.
Short Term Triggers
Short term triggers such as life transitions, significant change in lifestyle, sudden increase in consumption of nicotine or caffeine, major personal loss result in such seizures.
Lack of Assertiveness
Unassertive nature, passive communication style or way of interactions works towards increasing the chances of this kind of problem. Additionally it has been found that people of such nature suffer more from this type of seizures.
Medications
Many medications cause side effects and this problem is one of the side effects specifically mentioned in medications like fluroquinolone and Ritalin. The side effect could be temporary or can last as long as the medication is continued.
Drug Withdrawal
Many prescribed medicines or substances have withdrawal syndrome which causes panic disorder. Benzodiazepine or alcohol withdrawal can be sited as examples of such syndrome causing the problem.
Hyperventilation Syndrome
If you are breathing from chest, sometimes overbreathing can occur where you are breathing out more carbon dioxide in comparison to intake of oxygen. This syndrome results in hypocapnia and shows up as symptoms such as increase in heart beat and dizziness thereby working as triggers for a seizure.
Situational Triggers
In some particular situation a person can have the attack and it develops behavioral predisposition where the problem starts if same situation is faced again.
Pharmacological Triggers
Many stimulants & depressants work as triggers or as provocations for such triggers that cause the problem in a person. Some such stimulants and depressants are alcohol, amphetamine and caffeine.
Serious Illness
Cardiac situations which lead to sudden death also lead to panic attacks. Some such critical cardiac situations could be CPVT or QT syndrome. This kind of problem is difficult to diagnose as differentiating between an actual cardiac arrest or panic seizure becomes very difficult.
