What Causes Panic Attacks in Certain Individuals?
Most people deal fairly well with stressful events because they have learned the coping skills necessary to get through the situation. But, for individuals with panic disorders every stressful moment no matter how minor, becomes traumatic and emotionally harmful to them. These people will do anything to prevent those feelings from ever happening again by avoiding the outside world. The big question is why do some people respond fearfully to the same stresses that cause mild reactions in another? What causes panic attacks in the first place?
If not treated, panic attacks may turn into an anxiety or panic disorder. Most of those who suffer from this condition also have phobias, so although there is no one answer as to what causes panic attacks, it stands to reason the type if environment in which a child was raised, genetics, an imbalance of serotonin, and childhood traumatic events play a large role. That is especially true if the person was frightened at an early age by an insect, pet, or person. Some adults with panic disorder still have irrational fears of animals and insects. Even an scent that reminds them of the past can stimulate the fear response. Normally, fear and anxiety are how the body reacts to stress. But in a panic attack, the person reacts as if presented with real danger. At that time, the fight or flight response kicks in and the individual feels an incredible urge to flee.
In some people,what causes panic attacks may be a disabling shyness. With these individuals, their self esteem is so low it exacerbates their shyness to the point of being almost crippling. Believing that others are judging them on how they look, speak, eat, and act is embarrassing and humiliating. This is one of the reasons people with a severe panic disorder will not leave their homes, sometimes for many years. Unless treatment is begun soon as possible , individuals who suffer from this debilitating condition will become trapped within the self made prison of their own home. Fortunately, no matter how severe the condition is, it can be treated successfully and cure the person completely.
Return to the Coping With Panic Attacks information or take a look at How To Stop Anxiety.
