A panic attack is basically an episode of an intense wave of fear that set off some physical reactions, like not being able to breathe or shivering, when there is no actual danger or proper cause. Let’s discover some other panic attack causes.
Panic attacks are very scary for a person when it occurs because the person feels like they are dying or losing grip of their life. It often hits you randomly where there is no clear set off; it is so random that it can even happen when you are relaxed or asleep.
Usually in a situation where a panic attack is triggered, like talking in public or crossing a busy street or even being forced to do something out of your comfort zone
What is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is when panic attacks keep recurring more than once or twice a month.
Panic attacks can occur once or twice in a person’s life which is perfectly normal, even people have a couple of panic attacks don’t necessarily mean they have panic disorder. Only 3% of adults have this disorder.
How Does it Feel Like When You are Having a Panic Attack?
Panic attacks usually hit you out of nowhere without warning, and it can happen when you are sleeping or driving or even when you sitting and relaxing on the couch.
It typically peaks within a couple of minutes and sometimes can last up to hours.
Usually, when a panic attack occurs you will feel your chest starting to hurt like you can’t breathe, which also may feel like you are having a heart attack.
After that, you will start having hot or even clod flashes and even start sweating with a high heart rate. In these situations, you feel like you are in danger and can’t escape it, and it activates the body’s fight or flight response.
There are some other signs that can occur when you having a panic attack like:
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Nausea or stomach pain
- Shaking or trembling
- Headache
- Faintness, light-headedness or dizziness
- The fear of death or loss of control
- The feeling of choking
- Numbness starting in the hands and then going around the body
- Sense of danger
Why Do Panic Attacks Happen?
It is uncertain the precise cause of panic attack causes can be as follows:
Genetics
Sometimes this kind of disorder has the tendency of running in their families if they have a history of panic disorder or panic attack causes.
Traumatic or Major Events
If you undergo a stressful and traumatic event like experience the death of a loved one or losing your job or even if you get into an accident.
Also, if you go through major events like getting married, having a baby or even getting into college can cause panic attacks.
Hyperthyroidism
This means that the thyroid glands are being overworked.
Withdrawal of Medication
This is if you are addicted to a certain medication and you stop taking it which causes the body to go through withdrawal.
Hypoglycemia
This means that there is low sugar in your blood.
The Use of Stimulants
This means the use of substances like cocaine, amphetamines, and caffeine in large amounts can kick-start a panic attack
Risk Factors of Panic Attack
If you don’t treat panic attacks it can cause permanent damage to you and even your brain and it can ruin the quality of your life, it can even make you be afraid of future panic attacks.
There are some factors that can increase the risk of panic attacks like:
- The misuse of alcohol, drugs and other substances like caffeine, so if you take a lot or continuously then it can cause severe panic attacks.
- Public speaking, if you are uncomfortable with it can cause panic attacks.
- Having financial problems when you are under a lot of stress.
- Being sexually assaulted or having a traumatic experience.
- Disorders like depression, anxiety, and other psychological disorders can make you prone to panic attacks
- If there are major changes in your life like having a baby or getting a divorce.
- Having traumatic childhood experiences can cause panic disorder when you become an adult.
