Know the Cause of Your Panic Attacks

In order to begin to eliminate your panic, it's critical for you to be aware of what causes panic attacks. When you know what causes a panic attack, you can be prepared and alert to the signs and symptoms. Awareness is the first step to making any kind of change, for if you are not aware, then you can't change it.

What Is A Panic Attack?

A panic attack is an unforeseen surge of severe, overpowering anxiety and fear. Your heart may pound or it becomes difficult to breathe. You feel dizzy and sick to your stomach. You may even think like you're dying or going crazy. And the worst part of it is that panic attacks may occur any time, anywhere, unpredictably!

Panic is a Body-Mind Process

Although the exact causes of panic attacks and panic disorders are unclear, both the mind and the body are active in causing panic attacks.

Stressful life transitions such as getting married, having children, getting a job, etc. can cause panic attacks. The death of a loved one, a divorce, or job loss can also trigger panic attacks.

Panic attacks may have physiological roots. Some scientific investigation suggests the tendency to have panic attacks may be partially genetic, and studies with twins have shown the possibility of inheriting the panic disorder.

There also appears to be a relation with coming down with major illnesses and having panic attacks. An increase in the rate of panic attacks has been observed in some women when they are pregnant.

Possible Physical Causes of Panic Attacks

If you're noticing symptoms of panic (read about symptoms here: http://panicsolutions.info/symptoms-of-panic), it's important to visit a doctor to rule out the following physiological conditions as possible causes of panic attacks:

* Mitral valve prolapse, a minor cardiac problem that occurs when one of the heart's valves doesn't close properly
* Hyperthyroidism
* Hypoglycemia
* Stimulant use (amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine)
* Medication withdrawal

Other Known Causes

The following non-exhaustive list of what causes panic attacks is here for your reference.

* Adjustment disorder
* Agoraphobia
* Amphetamine abuse
* Anxiety disorders - certain other types of anxiety disorders can lead to panic attacks:
* Chemical poisoning - Jet Fuel-4
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
* Cocaine overdose
* Ecstasy withdrawal
* Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
* Hyperventilation
* Inborn amino acid metabolism disorder
* Marijuana abuse
* Marijuana overdose
* Myoclonic dystonia
* Obsessive-compulsive disorder
* Panic disorder
* Panic disorder with agoraphobia [link]
* Panic disorder without agoraphobia
* Post-traumatic stress disorder
* Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
* Rett's syndrome
* Separation anxiety disorder
* Social phobia (affects over 10 million Americans)
* Specific phobias
* Stress
* Substance-induced anxiety disorder

Medications known to cause Panic Attacks

* Cannabis
* Catovit
* Charas
* Ecstasy
* Hash
* Marijuana
* Mazindol
* Prolintane
* Sanorex

These causes of panic attacks affect over 1 million Americans:

* Agoraphobia
* Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
* Obsessive-compulsive disorder
* Panic disorder
* Post-traumatic stress disorder

If you have a panic disorder, without treatment, you may develop a fear of having panic attacks! This often actually causes a panic attack and the cycle begins. Often, the sufferer of panic will persuade himself/herself so convincingly that they are dying that many feel the need to obtain emergency treatment.

Summary

There are many possible causes of your panic attacks, ranging from stress to life changes to substance abuse and side effects of medication. When panic attacks repeat, the sufferer may actually become afraid of having another attack that you will cause one, creating a draining cycle.

By knowing the potential causes of panic and panic attacks, you can better control your situation and your state of mind, helping you head off the situations that cause panic in you.

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This article is intended only to provide general information and is not intended as an exhaustive source of information for the topics discussed. This article does not replace your relationship with any health care professional you are consulting with or consult with in the future.