Panic Attacks Causes

What is the difference between panic and anxiety attacks? Anxiety is considered as an extreme worry or scared feeling when under extreme pressure or in a stressful situation. It's a natural response of the body. When danger is coming it's resembles an automatic alarm that activates off when there are trespassers nearby.

So what might a panic attack be? A panic attack is a quick panic or intense fear that comes on instantly with or without reason. It can happen at any place or any time and to anyone. Some experts say, a panic attack is a side effect from medicine withdrawal, heredity and many biological issues. If you think you would like to treat yourself, it's necessary to find out the difference between the two attacks to get an accurate diagnose.

In any kind of condition it is best that the patient is aware what the causes of the illness are. Understanding why it happens will give the patient confidence and not cause them to panic even more in distress. Panic attacks strike anybody without any warning and is very dangerous if it occurs when you are driving. Specific situations lead to the recurrence of attacks, especially if you are in the same situation as the first attack that made you feel vulnerable and unable to escape.

There are people who have few panic attack experiences that live their lives happy and healthy. If you have these conditions it does not mean you are not entitle to enjoy your life. However, panic attacks occur due to underlying illnesses you have like social phobia, panic disorder, and depression, which are treatable. Many effective treatments and coping strategies are available that will help you.

Panic Attacks Causes:

- Heredity – other family members have panic attacks.
- Life transitions – like graduation, newly hired in a job, giving birth, getting married, a feeling of too much excitement mixed with nervousness.
- Severe stress – referred to a death of a loved one or terminated from work can trigger panic attacks.
- Medical condition and physical causes
- Mitral valve prolapse – slight cardiac problem.
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypoglycemia
- Stimulant use – like cocaine or caffeine
- Medication withdrawal – can be a side effect with antibiotics
- Phobias – patient with this condition can result to a panic attack.
- Lack of assertiveness – negative thinking and misconception of the condition
- Chronic and serious illnesses

The patient suffering panic attacks often loose control of themselves, have fear and a sense of dying, going crazy and feeling faint associated with heavy breathing. Fear with provoking stimulus releases adrenaline which brings fight or flight responses that increase the heart rate resulting in rapid breathing. Furthermore, the adrenaline released results in less blood flow to the head which causes dizziness.

Another one of the panic attacks causes are women on their menopausal period. Those suffering panic attacks have a very high risk of heart attack and stroke. It is believed that panic attacks with accurately associated symptoms like dyspnea and chest pain can manifest a cardiovascular disease or heart damage. However, studies did not find if isolated cases of panic attacks would lead to immediate heart damage nor proved significance between panic disorder and strokes. Nor could it could not be attributed to cardiovascular effects of medications received.

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Embracing the Fear: Learning To Manage Anxiety & Panic Attacks [Paperback]

Embracing the Fear: Learning To Manage Anxiety & Panic Attacks

Review

Nothing to fear but fear itself? For anyone who has ever suffered from the palm sweating, heart pounding, trembling, panting, exhausting terror of anxiety or panic attacks, that is more than enough. This book, authored by two recovering agoraphobics, offers strategies for managing anxieties and phobias, emphasizing the need to first accept our anxiety and panic, encouraging us to take risks, and giving specific dialogues to counter fearful self-talk. Although they do not address nutritional approaches or relaxation techniques, the cognitive approach they emphasize is a uniquely valuable strategy for understanding and managing fear. -- From The WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women; review by Patricia Pettijohn

a simple, straightforward guide that helps readers understand the overwhelming feelings associated with anxiety disorders, simple phobias, panic disorders, and agoraphobia

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