As Featured On EzineArticles   Is panic attacks cause genetic or environmental?

What really causes this horrific condition also known as panic disorder? Here we will explore various theories about the causes of panic attacks/panic disorder.

It is said that one of the most intensely uncomfortable, frightening and upsetting experiences of a person’s life is having a panic attack.

To date, at the time of publishing this article, the exact cause of panic attacks is unknown. That’s right! There is no known precise cause or factor that triggers panic attacks. However, there are several theories contending that the disorder may be developed based on a complex interaction of a number of factors and experiences; genetic, biological, environmental and social.

Biological Theories of Panic Attacks

The brain contains millions of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters that constantly communicate back and forth with each other. Of these chemical messengers, norepinephrine, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are believed to have some influence in the onset of panic disorder. Experts believe that panic attacks are caused by an imbalance of one or more of these chemical messengers found within the brain.
 
Panic Attacks Fight-or-Flight Response Theory 
 
The flight-or-fight response is an innate and automatic response for survival which is exhibited by many animals, including humans. What this means is that when there is a perceived threat, real or imagined, psychological and physical changes occur, preparing one to flee or engage in battle.
 
 Suffocation False Alarm Theory
 
The suffocation alarm theory proposes that a message is conveyed that there is a danger of suffocation, when levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide are altered, as in hyperventilation. Persons with panic attack disorder exhibit an increased sensitivity to oxygen and carbon dioxide changes in the blood.
During panic attacks, improper breathing can dramatically alter the exchange of both oxygen and carbon dioxide, the resulting improper balance between the two then erroneously triggers a potential suffocation alarm as the alarm system is already somewhat overly sensitive.
 
The Genetic Link 
 
It has been observed that individuals having a first-line biological relative with panic disorder seems to be 8 times more likely to develop the condition. Having first-line relatives developing the disorder prior to age 20, increases the risk for such individuals. Studies have also shown that there is a 40% occurrence between identical twins if one already has the disorder. 
 
Environmental Sources
 
There is evidence provided by some researchers that certain environmental and social elements may in some ways contribute to the development of panic disorder. The most notable of these include:
 
Parents who are anxious may model this anxious behavior to their children
 
Overprotective parenting styles
 
Insecure attachment patterns during childhood
 
Childhood abuse or trauma
  
High levels of stress in the home during upbringing
 
Major stressful life events
 
Hypersensitivity to certain harmless bodily sensations with the perception they are dangerous
 
A temperamental style associated with passiveness and avoidance of new stimuli
 
 
Overview
 
 
Here’s a summary of what is known so far, scientifically and otherwise about panic attacks cause:
 
Although identical twins do not show genetic correlation 100% of the time, it does tend to run in families suggesting that there is some sort of a genetic link.
 
It would appear that the disorder is related to some common environmental and social sources. However, not everyone exposed to these same environmental and social conditions develop the disorder.
 
Yes, it is true that studies have linked certain brain chemical abnormalities in people to panic disorder. However, these studies have left the argument of the proverbial, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg”? These studies have not clearly determined whether these abnormalities cause panic disorder or whether it is the other way around, panic disorder causes these abnormalities.
 
To date, the exact cause of panic disorder remains unknown. Hopefully, somewhere in the not too distant future, research will delineate and effectively tie together these, and, perhaps, other unknown, causes of panic disorder.
 
 

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Is Any Of This Experience Familiar To You?
Maybe you found yourself in the hospital’s ER because you thought you were having a heart attack only to be told later it was anxiety?
Do you ever fear you might stop breathing because your chest feels tight and your breathing erratic?
When you drive do you fear the idea of getting stuck in traffic, on a bridge or at red lights?
Do you ever feel nervous and afraid you might lose control or go insane?
Have you struggled with anxious thoughts that will not stop?
Do you ever feel uncomfortable in enclosed spaces such as supermarkets, cinemas, public transport or even sitting at the hair dressers?
Are you nervous and on edge in normal situations that never bothered you before?

Do You Feel Any Of The Following Bodily Sensations?
Dizzy spells leading to panic
Tightness in throat and chest- shortness of breath
Racing heart with tingle sensations
Hot flushes followed by waves of anxiety
Obsessive worries and unwanted thoughts
Not feeling connected to what is going on around you
Overwhelming fear that the anxiety will push you over the edge?

These and other similar uncomfortable sensations are all too common but the truth is you do not have to ever suffer from another panic attack or anxiety attack again

I’ll explain why

Most of the people I deal with have been struggling with anxiety disorders for many years and have usually exhausted themselves looking for a solution in every book, course, or treatment program out there. By the time they get to me, they are very skeptical (as is natural) and have little faith in ever getting rid of their condition.

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panic attack treatment

Author: admin | Category panic attacks treatment |
July 21, 2010

http://mpoweruniversity.com/panicattacks/ offers panic attack treatment information for anyone who may be searching for panic attacks,anxiety attacks information on the web

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http://panicbreaker.com/free If you are having problems coping with anxiety, dealing with panic attack symptoms or anxiety attack symptoms you could turn to anxiety books or find out more for free here

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June 21, 2010

http://top-3-products.info/attack – ← ← 100% NATURAL CURE FOR PANIC ATTACKS ← ← ← CLICK HERE TO CURE YOUR PANIC ATTACKS NOW. THE NR. 1 PRODUCT OF ITS KIND. People having panic attacks sometimes believe they are having heart attacks, losing their minds, or on the verge of death. They cant predict when or where an attack will occur, and between episodes many worry intensely and dread the next attack.

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June 21, 2010

http://top-3-products.info/attack ← ← ← CLICK HERE TO CURE YOUR PANIC ATTACKS NOW. THE NR. 1 PRODUCT OF ITS KIND.

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http://panicbreaker.com/recommended/ Do natural methods work as PTSD treatments & PTSD therapy or are there better treatments for PTSD disorders & dealing with post traumatic stress disorder symptoms

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June 12, 2010

http://www.panic-attack-symptoms.org/blog/how-to-avoid-panic-attacks.html

To avoid panic attacks there is a few things that you need to be aware if you have panic disorder. By knowing just a few critical things you can substantially decrease both the intensity and the frequency of your panic attacks will.

One of the first things that you need to understand about your panic disorder is that your panic attacks are triggered by a combination of a few things. Of course you probably already know or have read, that stress already plays a key role in triggering your panic attacks.

But what you may not know is that certain foods, drinks, medicines, and drugs that you consume. or do not consume, can also trigger panic attacks.

So to avoid your panic attacks need to make sure that you do not consume certain foods, drinks, medicines or drugs.

Since panic attacks are actually a release of the adrenal fluid in your body you need to avoid anything that is a stimulant that can trigger the adrenal glands in your body.

So you must avoid caffeine, energy drinks, tea, soda’s with caffeine, certain medicines like nasal medicines, and drugs such as methamphetamines, and alcohol.

Yes even alcohol. If you have panic attacks you may notice that after a night of drinking when you wake up in the morning you feel kind of “tweaky” or nervous.

After a hangover you do not want to drink coffee, or sodas to have caffeine in it. Or anything that has a stimulant for that matter.

You also want to eat healthy. By eating balanced meals and eating high potency vitamins every day you can avoid panic attacks very easily.

Do not overlook how powerful high potency vitamins can be for you. Just after a few days you already notice a decrease in your stress levels. So that’s why I recommend to find a multivitamin that are high in B. complex, niacin, etc.

If you do not learn how to avoid your panic attacks it can actually cause long-term psychological problems that can affect not only your relationships with people but your job performance as well.

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What are panic attacks, what causes them, what are the symptoms? If you want to stop panic attacks, there are many different choices available, which will you choose? To learn how to stop panic attacks, grab your free report at the site above.

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May 23, 2010

Rose Lindy from www.panicattackhelpguide.com has put together a great video for teaching you how to make vitamins using all natural herbs and gel caps. This is a great way to make a natural, herbal remedy to help combat anxiety and panic attacks

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