Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder -Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Panic attacks are sudden bursts of extreme fear that happen without any real danger present. During an attack, people may have severe physical symptoms that resemble a heart attack or other medical emergencies.

Some individuals might have only one or two panic attacks in their lives, often during particularly stressful times. These episodes may resolve on their own when the stressful situation passes.

However, recurring, unexpected attacks combined with persistent fear of future episodes may indicate panic disorder.

Physical symptoms of panic attacks can include:

Racing heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Dizziness
Trembling
Sweating

While panic attacks themselves aren’t dangerous, they can be extremely distressing and may significantly impact daily functioning. With proper care, most people can manage their symptoms successfully.

Signs of Panic Attacks

Panic attacks often start without warning. They can happen at any time – while driving, shopping, sleeping, or during a meeting. Some people have them rarely, while others experience them often.

These attacks vary in how they feel, but symptoms usually reach their worst point within minutes. After an attack ends, you might feel tired and drained.

Common signs of panic attacks include:

Feeling like something terrible is about to happen
Being afraid of losing control or dying
Fast, pounding heartbeat
Excessive sweating
Shaking or trembling
Trouble breathing or throat tightness
Feeling unusually cold
Sudden hot flashes
Upset stomach
Stomach pain
Pain in the chest
Headaches
Feeling dizzy or faint
Numbness or tingling
Feeling disconnected from reality

One challenging aspect of panic attacks is the strong fear of having another one. This fear can become so intense that you might avoid places or situations where attacks have happened before.

When Medical Help Is Needed

If you experience panic attack symptoms, it’s important to get medical help promptly. While extremely uncomfortable, panic attacks aren’t dangerous by themselves.

However, they can be difficult to manage alone and might worsen if untreated. The symptoms of panic attacks can look similar to serious health problems like heart attacks.

If you’re unsure what’s causing your symptoms, seeing your doctor for an evaluation is essential. They can determine whether your symptoms come from panic attacks or another health condition that needs different treatment.

Causes

The exact cause of panic attacks remains unclear, but several factors likely contribute to their development:

Genetic Factors: Panic disorders often run in families, so family history plays a role.
Stress Exposure: Major life stressors or traumatic events can trigger panic attacks or increase vulnerability.
Individual Temperament: People who are naturally more sensitive to stress or experience negative emotions more intensely may face a higher risk.
Brain Function: Specific changes in brain function and structure may influence panic disorder development.

While initial panic attacks might seem random, they typically become associated with certain situations over time.

The body’s fight-or-flight response appears central to panic attacks. This natural survival mechanism prepares humans for danger by:

Increasing heart rate
Accelerating breathing
Releasing stress hormones

During panic attacks, our bodies respond with physical reactions even in the absence of real danger. The body’s emergency response to a perceived threat, even when no real danger exists, leads to the distressing symptoms felt during an attack.

Risk Factors

Panic disorder typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood, affecting women more than men.

Several factors may increase someone’s chances of developing panic attacks or panic disorder:

Family history of panic disorder.
Major life stress, such as when a loved one becomes seriously ill or dies.
Traumatic experiences like sexual assault or serious accidents.
Significant life changes, including divorce or having a baby.
Lifestyle habits like smoking or drinking too much caffeine.
Childhood trauma, including physical or sexual abuse.

Potential Problems

Panic attacks and panic disorder can impact many parts of a person’s life if left untreated.

People who experience panic attacks may develop several related issues:

Fear of specific situations, like driving or leaving home.
Frequent doctor visits for health worries.
Withdrawing from social interactions and steering clear of group environments.
Difficulties performing at work or school.
Mental health problems like depression or other anxiety disorders.
Higher suicide risk or suicidal ideation.
Substance use problems with alcohol or other drugs.
Money troubles from missed work or excessive medical visits.

Some people develop agoraphobia—the fear of being in places where escape might be difficult or embarrassing during a panic attack. This can severely limit where they go and what they do. They might become dependent on having others with them just to leave their homes.

Prevention

There’s no guaranteed way to prevent panic attacks or panic disorder. However, several strategies can help reduce their impact.

Seek assistance for panic attacks at the earliest opportunity. This can stop them from becoming worse or happening more often.

Follow your treatment plan carefully. This helps stop panic symptoms from returning or getting worse.

Regular exercise may help protect against anxiety. Even a daily walk can make a difference.