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
*********************************************************************
Do you or a loved one suffer from panic attacks and have been unable to find lasting help?
Do you want your anxiety to vanish? Your confidence to soar? The results to last a lifetime? Getting You Back To Your Former Self Is What Is Important …
do you know the cause of this? have you experienced it yourself?
it sends me into panic attacks when i have minimum anxiety.
I personally was diagnosed with GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and first put on Zoloft to try and minimize the anxiety. However, while on Zoloft I had between 3-5 panic attacks a week, a steep increase, and was switched to Lexapro which worked better.
If you are having a similar situation in which your medicine seems to be making things worse then immediately talk to your doctor about changing medicines; and don’t be afraid to try new ones! When you find one that works for you it will open many doors.
Good luck!
I had an MRI test done about 2.5 yrs ago. I was laying down while the pounding took place. I was fine for 2-3 hours of tests until about the last 15 minutes. I felt that the blanket on me was going to "catch fire". I could tell that my mind was beginning to hallucinate, and my practical logical side of my brain went out the door. The technician stepped out for a break, and I could not get anyone’s attention. I panicked and began yelling her name and saying to get me out.
She finally returned, and I thought I survived without any wear.
Then, about 6 months ago, I went to a wax museum, and had to push my hubby (he’s in a wheelchair), and 1/2 of the display was fine, well lit and wide aisles. But the 2nd section was dark (it highlighted monsters), and was narrow, had to go through doors over & over, and the corners….oh man! I had to literally pick up the wheelchair and bit by bit turn the chair to go around the tight corners (that’s quite a feat, since I weigh 100# less than my hubby).
So, then I was trying to hurry it up, and it seemed to wind more & more and more & more doors and noises and I began to get panicky.
So, that is incident #1
Incident #2 happened about 2 wks ago. My hubby tries to save money on our utilities, so he doesn’t have the ac on, but does run the overhead fan. The temp in the apt can average 84-87 degrees. It isn’t bad if you get down to your skivvys. In any case, I was sitting there, watching TV and I suddenly felt that I was suffocating. I got up and felt like I had to run out of the apartment, but was able to settle myself back down. I literally felt that I was going to pass out & die right there.
Now, I have no history of panic attacks before these 2. Do you suppose that they are related to that MRI examination? Have you had something similar happen to you or someone you know? Would sailors in submarines have sensations like I had?
092608 1:20
Negative emotions (like sadness, stress, anger, etc.) causes your Serotonin production to be low; when your Serotonin level is low, you are more prone to getting Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, etc.
Medication like Antidepressants (SSRI – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) helps to boost Serotonin level.
But there are natural ways to do it without medication. There’s this strange herb called "St John’s Wort" – it is said to be more effective than Prozac. No, it is not for mild depression only and ignore those sayings. In fact, it does help anxiety and panic-attacks as St John’s Wort works like prozac. Other natural ways will be exercise, diet, more exposure to light, etc.
The problem is that, even if your Serotonin is balanced… you have that "learned behavior" in your mind. You need to break that initial cycle to destroy that learned behavior – Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) does this. A technique that you can use without CBT will be Distraction… There are several other techniques to help cope them!
Ok, to use Distraction: Firstly, try to….
Extracted from Source.
I Have & Know Panic Attack Sympyoms But I Want To Know If I Have More Than I Thought
I used to have generalized anxiety as well as panic attacks. I went to the dr. who informed me that I was actually depressed from the sheer exhaustion of pretending that I was fine everyday when I was not. I was constantly dizzy and would have feeling of doom. As I saw the dr, he gave me Zoloft, and it did cure my attacks. I hadn’t had one in years. I came off of Zoloft in Sept of 07. I have had 2 times since then that the start of my panic came back. But since I knew exactly what was wrong with me so I didn’t allow myself to be scared as I knew exactly what was going to happen. For me this was a panic attack. (BTW the two starts that I have had after going off of Zoloft, of panic attacks, I was able to stop as I knew what was happening.) But this is what would happen to me. First I would lose the sensation of sight in my left eye only. There was a small spot that I just could not see. After that I knew that the next thing was I would start to have a feeling of numbness that would start in my hand and travel up my arm, then it would go into my throat and neck and tongue, and continue down only on my left side to my leg and foot. I sometimes would be this way for at least 10 minutes. I was so scared and thought that I had just had a stroke. But when I went to this particular Dr, he knew exactly what was happening to me. I just feel lucky that the Zoloft worked for me. I was 28 years old when I went on the Zoloft, and felt that I wanted to see what happened when I went off of it now. My decision had nothing to do with the new findings about depression drugs not working and making people suicidal at all. I just wanted to see where I was. Turned out to be the right thing for me. I still have Klonopin but it is used for each time I get anxious which is very little now. So I wish you luck!! Take care,
kmpick88
http://www.easycalm.com
Instant Tranquility is a guided hypnotic session for deeply relaxing, which uses NLP techniques to lull the listener into a deep sense of calm, melting away stress and anxiety, and reducing the chances of experiencing panic attacks.
*May cause drowsiness. Do not use this session when you need to be alert or drive a car/operate machinery.
Instant Tranquility is just one of several free anxiety-busting bonuses available with the award winning EasyCalm Anxiety Video Series (see the link above for details about the series).
NOTE: the YouTube version is in mono, but the original takes advantage of wide stereo audio for a more emmersing, relaxing experience.
The series is designed specifically to stop panic attacks and anxiety, and promote greater feelings of acceptance, self-confidence and calm in everyday life.
You may notice that some of the language in this session sounds “weird.” But keep in mind that this session uses NLP techniques that speak directly to the unconscious mind — it doen’t matter at all how it is percieved consciously–you’ll still get results, no matter how high your current level of anxiety or frequency of panic attacks. It’s even a great stress buster to just relax and chill after a long or stressful day.
Duration : 0:10:47
http://www.overcomingmypanicattacks.com
Get immediate relief from panic attacks using a drug-free technique to stop anxiety. You’ll never have to suffer from another panic attack or anxiety again!
Duration : 0:1:31
http://www.thelindenmethod.co.uk
Anxiety & panic attacks symptoms – Panic attacks and anxiety disorder can be cured. Visit my web site to find out more information so that you can free yourself from anxiety disorder
http://www.thelindenmethod.co.uk
Duration : 0:11:0
Either we die and have no existance, meaning no memory of anything, your’e just a blank, or we come back reincarnated as a roach or something, or we keep on living forever after we die, which sounds good but also scary at the same time.
…being reincarnated and coming back as george w. bush jr…scary…
Sweating, a feeling of dread, hyperventilation, feeling of the room spinning , feeling nauseous, dizziness, pain in chest, gulping for air, feeling hot/ burning up inside, feeling extremely scared.
There is no known reason why some people suffer and others don’t but it is a natural response to stressful situations. Your body releases a wave of adrenelin to prepare you for action. It is thought that this is left over from when we had to fight predators or run from them. It is nature’s way of making us react to a dangerous situation. The problem arises when you start releasing this adreneline in situations that aren’t neccessarily dangerous which in turn, can result in a panic attack.
Treatment is usually successful by using medication and/or therapy to retrain the brain into forming new habits and thought patterns . This is referred to as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
I was diagnosed about 2 years ago with having anxiety/panic attacks. I was on Lexapro which really helped, but then got pregnant with my 3rd child and got off medication. After I had my baby I didnt feel even a 1/4 of how I felt when I started on meds, but lately I’ve been feeling kind of crappy again. Im a smoker and occassional drinker, and have recently decided to quit smoking and limit my drinking even more, since I know both of these things dont help with preventing attacks. My symptoms of an attack are feelings of blood rushing to my temples and like something is going to pop. I dont get it in the chest like others say they do and I was just wondering if anyone else with attacks have symptoms like mine?
I also get some numbness in the temples.
Yes, I’ve had a catscan, and a ekg, they’ve taken my blood pressure, and tested me for blood infection, everything came back normal.
I understand what you’re going through. I take Lexapro and I still have panic attacks. Mine are similar to what you describe along with a huge sense of loneliness and worry. I’ve learned to tell myself "it will be over in a minute" and not tell yourself "it’s ok", because let’s face it: you’re not ok at the time. Maybe you need to check back in with your doctor and be put back on some meds. I hate being on meds too, but it’s all that helps. I also smoked 5 years ago, but quit and smoked my first since then about 2 months ago. For the next 2 days, I had repeated panic attacks so I guess that proves that smoking is a culprit. I also drink nearly every weekend but don’t notice a difference unless i drink excessively. i think your feelings are perfectly normal. it just may help you to invest in seeing your psychiatrist. also, have you had an echocardiogram and a thyroid test to make sure they’re fine? A mitral valve prolapse (in your heart) and an overactive thyroid could be a cause, but more than likely, you’re just like me and are panicky for no reason. Good luck and try to relax yourself by taking warm baths, reading books about panic attacks, lighting candles, etc. Spend more time on yourself and let your husband, friends, whoever take the kids every now and then and pamper yourself. good luck.