What Are The Common Causes of Panic Attacks?

If you suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, you may not be aware of some of the common causes of panic attacks. Listed below are a few of the more common causes.

Phobias – Being put in a certain situation or have to face objects that can cause fear can be one of the causes of panic attacks.

Passiveness – Passiveness can be when someone seems to be overly polite, shy or respectful. While seen as good qualities, these behaviors can be rooted in fear. They can be signs of lack of self confidence and low self esteem. This timid and fearful behavior can be one thing that causes panic attacks.

Hyperventilation Syndrome – When someone hyperventilates, they experience excess carbon dioxide in their bloodstream compared to oxygen. This can cause rapid heartbeat, a feeling of being dizzy and light headed. These can also be causes of panic attacks. This over exertion of breathing can also be dangerous.

Benzodiazepines – When someone has frequent panic attacks, they may be prescribed benzodiazepines to treat them. In about 30minutes, these medications can help alleviate the symptoms of panic attacks. Unfortunately, it can also be addictive. When someone goes through withdraw of benzodiazepines, this can be the causes of panic attacks.

Medications – Some common medication can actually be the causes of panic attacks. Ritalin and fluoroquinolone type antibiotics are a few. For some people, the panic attacks may just be when they are first adjusting to the medication, for others however, the attacks can continue. The doctor may have to adjust the dosage or change the medication altogether. For those who have serotonin problems and need SSRIs to increase the levels of serotonin in their systems, an increase in anxiety may result. If you end up being on the medication, then off of it, you can increase you chances of having panic attacks.

Biological Causes – There are several biological causes of panic attacks. Some disorders that can lead to attacks are obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, hypoglycemia, Wilson’s disease, and pheochromocytoma can lead to panic attacks. An improper diet or parasitic disease such as tapeworm can cause vitamin B deficiency which also can be one of the causes of panic attacks.

Heredity – Heredity can play a role in the causes of panic attacks. If parents suffer from the disorder, the children may also. This genetic link can increase your chances, but it is also true that those who have no genetic link can easily suffer from a panic disorder also.

Environmental Factors and Upbringing – Your living environment can play a role. If you grew up in a stressful or overly protective environment, you can be more likely to suffer from panic attacks. Traumatic life experiences in your past or childhood can increase the chance of panic attacks.
Short-term Triggers – There are temporary states that can be the causes of panic attacks. They include drugs, psilocybin, marijuana, caffeine, nicotine, emotional trauma, relationship problems and major life unexpected life changes.

Each individual is different therefore every trigger may cause a different response in different people. You could be someone who needs a long time build up of various triggers to have a panic attack, or you could be someone who only needs one trigger to be the causes of panic attacks. Keep in mind that the causes of panic attacks can be a sign of something more serious. You will need to be sure the attacks are not the sign of something more serious or in need of further treatment.