Skip to main content

What Causes Panic Attacks - Learn How To Deal With It

 

what causes panic attacks

What causes panic attacks? These episodes are sudden, inexplicable feelings of anxiety that can strike without warning, and which are often accompanied by physiological reactions such as rapid heart rate, chest pain, and numbness. What causes panic attacks? The prevailing theory on the subject suggests that they are a result of a person's subconscious fear of experiencing a certain kind of "out of body" experience, or of some sort of catastrophic accident. However, there is more to the puzzle of what causes panic attacks than meets the eye: The answer lies in understanding how all of our daily activities and responses to stress and the rest of the world affect the way we feel, as well as the way we behave.

Panic attacks may include many different aspects of the human nervous system. Stress itself can activate a variety of physiological responses that cause us to react in different ways, both physically and mentally. One of the primary functions of the sympathetic nervous system is to control and regulate the body's responses to stress, which can include the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol that help to boost our endurance and reaction time. Excess amounts of cortisol can cause the body to become unstable, and in turn trigger anxiety, breathing problems, and other symptoms.

However, when panic attacks occur, the body goes into overdrive in an effort to keep itself functioning properly, and this in itself can trigger a series of symptoms, including a heightened sense of danger and tension, profuse sweating, faster heart rate, shortness of breath, trembling, shaking, dizziness, nausea, and upset stomach. Although the precise mechanisms underlying these physiological responses are not well understood, there is some evidence that they may be the result of the body preparing itself to "fight" or flight out of danger, and may also reflect the role of certain neurotransmitters and neurochemicals. If the body is "overloaded" with these chemicals during times of high stress, it can result in harmful side effects such as depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Fortunately, there are some medicines that can be used to treat the symptoms of anxiety disorders.

The most common medications prescribed for the treatment of anxiety are tranquilizers such as Valium and Xanax, and antidepressants such as Paxil and Prozac. These pills work by altering the way the brain and the body work together, reducing both the feelings of fear and the physical symptoms that come with extreme stress. They are available in many different varieties, including those for short-term use, as well as those that are taken for a number of hours each day. To be sure that the appropriate drug is taken, patients should discuss their options with their physician or mental health professional.

Although it seems unlikely, there are a number of theories about what causes attacks to occur without warning. One school of thought is that people with this health condition are extremely nervous about something, which releases chemicals such as adrenaline into the bloodstream. In addition, this theory suggests that people with this condition may have a genetic predisposition toward anxiety, since some children are likely to develop these symptoms as they get older.

Another theory on what causes anxiety attacks is that the nerves that control the breathing muscles are affected. When a person experiences an attack, he may suddenly begin to hyperventilate, which makes the lungs struggle to take in enough oxygen. This in turn causes the person's heart to work harder than it normally does, which increases the risk of experiencing a heart attack.

For those who suffer from this type of anxiety attack, a great way to avoid breathing problems during an attack is to learn breathing exercises. Deep breathing exercises slow the rate of the heart beat, which helps prevent a rapid increase in blood pressure. In addition, these exercises help to relax the mind. Many people who suffer from this condition also report that meditating or visualizing before taking a deep breath helps them overcome the attacks.

Since panic attacks are caused by depression, it is best to treat the cause, which is depression, rather than attempting to mask symptoms. However, if you do experience depression, you need treatment to deal with the disorder. The methods used by doctors and therapists to treat depression can be very effective in controlling panic attacks. These methods may include antidepressants, therapy, and anti-depressants. If you experience severe symptoms, it may be necessary to seek medical attention.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Testing for Depression

  As a child of the eighties, I remember my parents' excitement over the idea of testing for depression in adults. The thought of taking a pill every day to "make me feel good," was a far more attractive option than the prescription drugs my parents were taking. I grew up with parents who could never imagine themselves as adults. In my mind, their adult emotions had to be somehow "determined" by some mental process that could never be completely understood by the average person. So they put aside their qualms about the use of psychiatric medications, and enjoyed the benefits of their choice. Today, I am an adult who have had "the experience" of having "depressed feelings," but not necessarily experienced the debilitating episodes of depression that my parents' generation did. Today, I have learned how to "cope." Through a course of prescribed medication and therapy, I have discovered how to treat depression, and I no longer take...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dealing With Panic Attacks in Dogs

Anxiety is often one of the most prevalent causes of panic attacks in dogs. In fact, it is the number one cause. Moreover, dog panic disorder generally occurs in nervous dogs. However, nervous dogs may not be able to convey with humans effectively or owners simply turn a deaf ear to this condition in pets. There are several possible causes of these anxiety disorders in pets. One of the primary causes is the fear of potentially suffering from a panic attack. Many anxious dogs may exhibit specific behavioral symptoms such as whimpering, barking, pacing, sniffling, and staring at things that may be potentially harmful. It's common that these types of behaviors are caused by the fear of experiencing a panic attack. The behaviors are typically abnormal, and owners may think their pets are suffering from some kind of phobia. In many cases, these symptoms are mistaken for the typical symptoms of anxiety. However, there is another potential cause. Some dogs who experience anxiety have a fo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Panic Attacks Symptoms - How to Recognize Them

  Panic attacks are very frightening and can even result in death if not properly treated. In this article we will look at the symptoms of panic attacks. Then, we will look at how you can begin to treat your panic attacks. Finally, we will look at some important tips that can help you get rid of your panic attacks. Most of the symptoms of panic attacks occur within ten minutes of beginning the panic episode. At first, the most severe parts of panic attacks usually last only for about ten minutes. But some individuals have longer attacks, lasting up to half an hour. During the initial part of a panic episode, a sufferer may not be capable to function normally in many situations. The letdown following a panic episode can be very exhausting. Some of the most common symptoms of panic attacks are palpitations, dizziness, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, sweating, nausea, shakiness, and a constant feeling of dread. These symptoms often occur along with other symptoms of anxiety, su...
Post a Comment
Read more

Depression Poetry - A Look At Two Transgressors Who Changed Their Paths

For many, depression poetry is a form of self-expression that challenges you to view yourself differently. The poems are often short and to the point. This is why they are often referred to as "dying" poems. They act as a guide for those who are feeling down and out to find the strength to continue on with their lives. What exactly is depression poetry? This type of poetry helps depression suffers discover the things that they love to do and have in their life. These can be things like music, art or exercise. Depression is often defined by a lack of interest in the things that once caused happiness. These poems challenge those who feel hopeless to keep going. They might have previously thought their life had no purpose but reading inspirational quotes and poems can help change that. Many forms of poetry are good for depression because they tend to be about something that everyone else either enjoys or is at least familiar with. By creating your own depression poetry, you can ...
Post a Comment
Read more