What Causes Panic Attacks
What Causes Panic Attacks
Fear is a natural instinct in animals and human beings. Whenever either of these feels there is a threat of any kind, mechanisms are put in place to fit the assault before the victim suffers. For some people, this fear many be uncontrollable that it leads to episodes of unexplained fear and anxiety. This leaves most people asking what causes panic attacks. These happen when least expected and it is hard to control them unless the victim understands the symptoms.
It is possible to get these bouts of unexplained anxiety at any place or time. The person starts by thinking that there is looming danger, which in most situations is not the case. For instance, the person might be asleep and all over sudden think that he or she is about to die. Some of the symptoms associated with this condition can activate the anxiety. This happens when a person experiences them and thinks that they represent a condition that is yet to take place. For example, if a person has no control over the dizzy spells, this person may get anxious and start taking the spells to mean that there is a bigger medical condition lurking.
Other symptoms of panic attacks
Some of the other symptoms include pain in the chest, difficulty in breathing, queasiness, feeling numb on the fingers. When looking at what causes panic attacks, it is important to know that a person who is taking medicine might also be at risk of the anxiety bouts. This might be as a result of the chemical composition in that medication. For instance, people who are using ecstasy, marijuana and other substances may experience periods of great anxiety.
Stress can also be something that causes panic attacks. Many people are not especially prone to panic attacks, but under the wrong circumstances can find themselves starting to panic. This may happen more commonly in stressful or unfamiliar circumstances. For example, someone might experience a panic attack when starting a new job or a new school. They may also find themselves starting to panic when put under a lot of pressure, or if they are required to make a hasty decision. If you find yourself in one of these situations, do your best to keep calm and to breathe in a calm and relaxed manner. This will help stave off a panic attack if you feel one coming on.
It is also possible for great anxiety episodes to be a sign of another condition. In this case, these other conditions will be diagnosed based on the level of anxiety and great fear a person exhibits. This might be seen in cases such as mental illnesses, alcohol withdrawal, drug over dose and after-chemical poisoning. People suffering from these conditions may get overlay anxious without impending danger.
