What are the reasons for a panic attack?
Panic attacks are common. Up to 11% of people in the United States experience a panic attack every year.
Approximately 2-3% of people in the U.S. have panic disorder. People assigned female at birth are twice as likely to have panic disorders than those assigned male.
Panic attacks are sudden intense feelings of fear. They come with physical symptoms like a racing heart, fast breathing, and sweating.
Many people just have one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes. The problems end up going away, usually when a stressful situation ends. But if you have recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, you may have something called panic disorder.
Some people who experience panic attacks develop panic disorder, which is a type of anxiety disorder.
Therapy and medications can treat panic attacks and panic disorders.
So, what are the reasons for a panic attack?
Table of Contents
How are panic attacks diagnosed?
How is panic disorder diagnosed?
What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is a brief episode of intense anxiety. Sometimes called anxiety attacks, they cause the physical sensations of fear. Symptoms can include…
a racing heartbeat
shortness of breath
Dizziness
trembling and muscle tension.
Panic attacks occur frequently and unexpectedly. They are often not related to any external threat. A panic attack can last from a few minutes to half an hour. That said, the physical and emotional effects may last for a few hours.
Panic attacks are common. Up to 35 % of the American population experience panic attacks at some point in their lives.
Without treatment, frequent and prolonged panic attacks can be severely disabling. Someone suffering from panic attacks may choose to avoid a wide range of situations for fear of experiencing an attack. For example, they may avoid leaving their home or being alone so they don’t experience a panic attack.
Symptoms of a panic attack
Panic attacks can happen suddenly and without warning. They can strike at any time. For example, they can happen while you are thriving, at the mall, sound asleep, or in the middle of a business meeting.
Some people suffer from occasional panic attacks while for others, they happen frequently.
Panic attacks come in many variations. Symptoms usually peak within minutes of the attack starting. You may feel tired or worn out once the panic attack subsides.
Panic attacks typically include some of the following signs or symptoms:
Sense of impending doom or danger
Fear of loss of control or death
Rapid, pounding heart rate
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Shortness of breath or tightness in your throat
Chills
Hot flashes
Nausea
Abdominal cramping
Chest pain
Headache
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness
Numbness or tingling sensation
A feeling of unreality or detachment
One of the worst things about panic attacks is the intense fear of experiencing another one. You may fear having panic attacks so much that you are willing to avoid situations where they might happen.
What causes panic attacks?
There are several reasons why someone might experience panic attacks. Doctors found that genetics play an important role in determining the likelihood of a person experiencing panic attacks.
Research suggests that if you have a first-degree relative who experiences panic attacks, it is more likely that you will also develop panic attacks at some point in your life. Such a relative could be a parent or sibling.
Other causes of panic attacks relate to psychological, pharmacological, and environmental factors.
Psychological causes of panic attacks may include…
Chronic stress
Low self-esteem
An existing mental health condition
Examples include anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Phobias
People may experience panic attacks as a direct result of exposure to a phobic object or situation
Lack of assertiveness
A growing body of evidence supports the idea that those who suffer from panic attacks engage in a passive style of communication or interactions with others
Pharmacological causes of panic attacks may include…
Alcohol, drugs, or medication withdrawal
Medication side effects
Excessive caffeine intake
Environmental causes of panic attacks may include…
Chronic physical illnesses such as cancer
Significant life changes such as losing a job, becoming a parent, and moving house
Experiencing a significant personal loss, including bereavement, or the breakdown of a relationship with a romantic partner
‘Maintaining’ behavior such as avoiding panic-provoking situations or environments, anxious/negative self-talk, dysfunctional beliefs, and withheld feelings
There are many reasons why someone may struggle with panic attacks. Sometimes, panic attacks happen for no reason at all. Unexpected panic attacks have no apparent trigger and can happen at any time.
Panic attacks may come on suddenly and without warning at first. Over time, they are usually triggered by certain situations. In other words, they can become predictable.
Some research suggests that panic attacks are the response to your body’s natural fight-or-flight response to danger. For example, if a lion came after you, your body would react on instinct. Your heart rate and breathing would speed up as your body is preparing for a life-threatening situation.
Similar reactions happen in a panic attack. That said, it’s unknown why a panic attack occurs if there’s no obvious danger present.
Risk Factors
Symptoms of panic disorder often start when someone is in their late teens or early adulthood. It affects more women than men.
Factors that may increase the risk of developing panic attacks or panic disorder include…
Family history of panic attacks or panic disorder
Major life stress, such as the death or serious illness of a loved one
A traumatic event, such as sexual assault or a serious accident
Major changes in your life, such as a divorce or the addition of a baby
Smoking or excessive caffeine intake
History of childhood physical or sexual abuse
Complications
If left untreated, panic attacks can affect almost every area of your life. You may be so afraid of having more panic attacks that you live in constant fear. In turn, this ruins your quality of life.
Complications that panic attacks may cause include…
Development of specific phobias, such as fear of driving or leaving your home
Frequent medical care for health concerns and other medical conditions
Avoidance of social situations
Problems at work or school
Depression, anxiety disorders, and other psychiatric disorders
Increased risk of suicide or suicidal thoughts
Alcohol or other substance misuse
Financial problems
For some people, panic disorder may include agoraphobia, which is where you avoid places or situations that cause you anxiety. You fear being unable to escape or get help if you have a panic attack. Or, you may become reliant on others to be with you in order to leave your home.
How are panic attacks diagnosed?
When you see your healthcare provider about your panic attacks, they will ask about your symptoms and medical history. They may run tests to rule out medical conditions that cause similar symptoms. Such diseases include heart disease, thyroid disease, and respiratory problems.
If there is no underlying physical issue, your provider may make a diagnosis according to your symptoms and risk factors.
How is panic disorder diagnosed?
Medical providers or mental health specialists can diagnose panic disorder based on criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Your provider may diagnose panic disorder when you have repeated, unexpected panic attacks as well as one month or more of:
Persistently worrying about having more panic attacks or their consequences.
Changing your behaviors to avoid situations that you think may trigger an attack.
In addition, the attacks can’t be due to the direct effects of a substance or general medical condition. And they can’t be better accounted for by another mental health condition, like a phobia or PTSD.
How can I stop a panic attack?
There is no way to immediately stop a panic attack right after it starts. However, there are steps you can take to manage the symptoms until the attack resolves. These steps are…
Practicing deep breathing: Hyperventilating is a symptom of panic attacks that can increase fear. Deep breathing can reduce symptoms of panic during an attack. Breathe in as slowly, deeply, and gently as you can through your nose and breathe out slowly through your mouth. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing.
Acknowledging that you’re having a panic attack: Knowing that you’re having a panic attack can help manage the fear you’re experiencing. Remind yourself that the attack is temporary and will pass.
Relaxing your muscles: Anxiety attacks can cause you to tense your muscles. Focus on relaxing one muscle group at a time to reduce tension and stay present.
Practicing mindfulness: A panic attack can make you feel detached from reality or your body. Practice mindfulness and focus on the present to center your thoughts and ground yourself.
It's important to seek medical treatment. Medication and psychotherapy can go a long way if you're having frequent panic attacks.
When to see a doctor
If you have panic attack symptoms, seek medical help. Panic attacks are not dangerous despite being intensely uncomfortable. That said, panic attacks are hard to manage on your own. They might get worse without treatment.
Panic attack symptoms can also resemble symptoms of other serious health problems. For example, the symptoms might resemble those of a heart attack. That’s why it's so important to get evaluated by your primary care provider if you aren’t sure what is causing your symptoms.
Conclusion
There’s no sure way to prevent a panic attack or panic disorder. However, these recommendations may help…
Get treatment for panic attacks as soon as possible to help stop them from getting worse or becoming more frequent.
Stick with your treatment plan to help prevent relapses or worsening of panic attack symptoms.
Keep track of your anxiety symptoms with a Chartam planner to see if they persist or get better with treatment
