Causes of Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are brief periods of very intense anxiety and fear characterized by psychological, emotional and physical responses. Though they generally last only a few minutes at their peak and subside entirely within a few hours, they are considered some of the most frightening, uncomfortable and unnerving experiences of a person’s life. Often they are indicators of an underlying panic or anxiety disorder that causes panic attacks to occur with some frequency. This can cause sufferers to avoid all social or public situations as an attempt to prevent panic attacks from occurring. Those that suffer the attacks chronically consider them debilitating, and tend to also experience anticipatory anxiety leading up to the attacks as they worry constantly about the impending attack. This fear in of itself can trigger more intense panic attacks.
How Do You Get Panic Attacks?
Though the actual cause of panic attacks is not fully understood, it is known that they are a response of the body’s sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is a part of the automatic nervous system that controls much of the body’s organs and functions. The SNS is responsible for the fight or flight response, which is the hormonal reaction of the body to impending threats or attacks. During this response the body releases hormones such as adrenaline that prepare it for the danger, or compel it to escape the situation in which the danger originated.
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The triggers of each person’s panic attacks are different, but there are some general causes common to most sufferers. Those that experience frequent panic attacks usually have triggers they identify as their particular problems, while those with rare panic attacks are often triggered by intense situations. These situations may include grief, stress, trauma or intense pressure. Frequent panic attacks are sometimes triggered by overstimulation of the senses, social exposure, or circumstances of real or perceived danger. Panic or anxiety disorders are generally in-born, caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, but can also be caused by circumstances.
What Can You Do About Them?
Most panic attacks are not severe enough to require medical treatment, although many people seek emergency care when experiencing their first or particularly bad subsequent attacks. Dealing with a panic attack can usually be accomplished by speaking calmly, and attempting to reassure the sufferer. Very bad panic attacks, or those that occur frequently, may require medical treatment in order to be controlled, and to establish improved quality of life. Urgent treatment of a panic attack can be sought in an emergency room. The doctors will evaluate the patient to ensure that it is truly a panic attack that is causing the symptoms, and then may administer a tranquilizer to ease the attack. For chronic attacks patients may be given medications that can be taken when the onset of a panic attack is suspected, or daily anti-anxiety medications to encourage psychological and emotional balance. Behavioral therapy is also encouraged. Not only does therapy allow sufferers to explore the origins and triggers of their panic attacks, but it can also instill coping techniques that will give the sufferer tools to monitor and control their anxiety.
