Here are the common triggers and causes of panic attacks:
Phobia: People frequently get panic attacks when they are exposed to situations or objects they are terrified of.
Passiveness – Many people believe that being overly polite, shy, and courteous is a good thing and that having these traits is common. Whatever the case, mounting data seems to point to the correlation between bouts of a panic attacks and a person’s passivity brought on by fear (often unexplained), low self-esteem, and lack of confidence.
Hyperventilation Syndrome: Mouth breathing and over-breathing or exhaling more carbon dioxide than necessary for the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream can result in symptoms including dizziness, lightheadedness, and a rapid heartbeat. These symptoms, in turn, trigger panic attacks.
Benzodiazepines: Drugs such as benzodiazepines are prescribed to treat the symptoms of panic attacks. These drugs have a very quick effect. Usually, the patient finds relief within 30 minutes. However, benzodiazepines are highly addictive, and the rebound effect (a panic attack triggered by withdrawing from the drug) is common.
Medications: Antibiotics plus Ritalin (methylphenidate) can cause panic episodes. Attacks may be transient, happening when a patient takes medicine, but they may continue if the patient is habituated to the treatment. This usually requires a dosage or medicine modification. SSRIs increase brain serotonin, which controls and normalizes emotions. SSRIs can initially increase anxiety. Weaning off drugs may increase panic episodes.
Biological causes: An anxiety attack may be a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Wilson’s disease, pheochromocytoma, hypoglycemia, mitral valve prolapse, or labyrinthitis (inner ear abnormalities). An insufficient amount of vitamin B, which can be caused by a parasitic infection from tapeworms or by not eating well enough, can lead to panic attacks.
Heredity: Children who have parents who have been diagnosed with panic disorder are more likely to suffer from or have panic episodes themselves. In other words, who receives it is significantly influenced by inheritance. However, panic disorder can nonetheless occur in people without a familial history.
Environment factors and upbringing: people who live in stressful environments, have experienced several traumatic events in the past, and have had an extremely cautious upbringing are more likely to develop panic attacks.
Short-term triggers: Panic attacks can be brought on by major life changes, emotional pain from a failed relationship, life transitions, and stimulants like nicotine, caffeine, psilocybin, marijuana, and narcotics.
Triggers and causes can affect people differently. One stimulus can cause panic attacks. Others need multiple triggers. Exposure to these triggers doesn’t always produce panic attacks because some are emotionally stronger than others.
It’s also crucial to remember that some panic attack symptoms could also be indicators of other health issues. Because of this, it’s important to figure out where the symptoms come from so you can take the right steps.
