Anxiety Disorders - Causes of Panic Disorder
Although a lot of research has gone into finding out more about panic disorders, there seems to be no conclusive evidence as to the causes of panic disorders. The only thing that is clear is that for some reason, the body seems to go into panic mode and feel very threatened when there is actually no threat.
Most of what has been put forward as causing panic disorders comes from observing shared characteristics between people who suffer them. In this article, we will look at some of the things that are thought to cause this disorder.
1. Biological malfunction
The brain contains millions of neurotransmitters, which are basically the ones that relay information from one part of the brain to another until a physical reaction is accomplished. It is believed that when one has a panic disorder, there is a malfunction or imbalance in these transmitters, so that they send out messages to react fearfully when indeed there is really nothing to be fearful of.
The body's panic button is triggered without cause. Ordinarily, in all humans and animals, when there is danger, the trigger will go off so that the body can prepare either for fight or flight. In a panic disorder situation, there will be no danger but the brain feels a need to react and one ends up with a panic attack.
2. Suffocation false alarm theory
One of the reasons that the brain will send messages to the body to prepare for defense is if there is a perceived danger of suffocation. Breathing is the most basic element of survival, and although this theory has not yet been proven, it holds that people who suffer panic disorders seem to have high levels of sensitivity to changes in levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the brain.
If the oxygen levels in their brain drop even a little, the brain immediately sends a message that there is danger and that the body needs to defend itself, leading to a panic attack. In most panic attacks, hyperventilation is the first manifestation to be experienced. The problem is that the subsequent reactions will keep robbing the body of oxygen, and therefore the panic attack sustains itself until a person feels that they are breathing normally again.
3. Genetics
It has been observed that people from a family that suffered panic disorders have a much higher chance of experiencing them. If someone has a parent or a sibling or a grandparent with the disorder, they are 8 times more likely to suffer themselves. This theory is not conclusive though, because it has been found that in identical twins, it's possible for one to suffer the disorder without the other one being affected.
4. The environment
This one seems to be the most commonly accepted theory as a cause of panic disorders. The environment that one grows up in or lives in will cause them to have panic attacks if they witness them often enough, or if they have suffered some trauma of some kind. A child who lived with a caregiver who had panic attacks and often witnessed them, for instance, has a very high chance of developing a panic disorder themselves.
Children who are over-restricted, with too many expectations placed on them; start to feel a psychological suffocation that can manifest as panic attacks. Children who have been abused as well show a high tendency towards panic disorders. Another observation is that if a child was removed from someone who they deeply cared for and who took care of them, they may develop panic attacks as adults.
It is quite inconclusive what the causes of panic disorder are, but the important thing to know is that this disorder is now acknowledged as a medical condition and you can get treatment. Talk to your health care provider or therapist about your symptoms and they will guide you towards treatment that will bring your condition under control.
If you want to learn more about the causes of panic disorder [http://www.turnoffanxiety.com/what-causes-anxiety-disorder/] and you're interested in understanding and eliminating your anxiety and panic attacks, visit my website at http://www.turnoffanxiety.com [http://www.turnoffanxiety.com]
Most of what has been put forward as causing panic disorders comes from observing shared characteristics between people who suffer them. In this article, we will look at some of the things that are thought to cause this disorder.
1. Biological malfunction
The brain contains millions of neurotransmitters, which are basically the ones that relay information from one part of the brain to another until a physical reaction is accomplished. It is believed that when one has a panic disorder, there is a malfunction or imbalance in these transmitters, so that they send out messages to react fearfully when indeed there is really nothing to be fearful of.
The body's panic button is triggered without cause. Ordinarily, in all humans and animals, when there is danger, the trigger will go off so that the body can prepare either for fight or flight. In a panic disorder situation, there will be no danger but the brain feels a need to react and one ends up with a panic attack.
2. Suffocation false alarm theory
One of the reasons that the brain will send messages to the body to prepare for defense is if there is a perceived danger of suffocation. Breathing is the most basic element of survival, and although this theory has not yet been proven, it holds that people who suffer panic disorders seem to have high levels of sensitivity to changes in levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the brain.
If the oxygen levels in their brain drop even a little, the brain immediately sends a message that there is danger and that the body needs to defend itself, leading to a panic attack. In most panic attacks, hyperventilation is the first manifestation to be experienced. The problem is that the subsequent reactions will keep robbing the body of oxygen, and therefore the panic attack sustains itself until a person feels that they are breathing normally again.
3. Genetics
It has been observed that people from a family that suffered panic disorders have a much higher chance of experiencing them. If someone has a parent or a sibling or a grandparent with the disorder, they are 8 times more likely to suffer themselves. This theory is not conclusive though, because it has been found that in identical twins, it's possible for one to suffer the disorder without the other one being affected.
4. The environment
This one seems to be the most commonly accepted theory as a cause of panic disorders. The environment that one grows up in or lives in will cause them to have panic attacks if they witness them often enough, or if they have suffered some trauma of some kind. A child who lived with a caregiver who had panic attacks and often witnessed them, for instance, has a very high chance of developing a panic disorder themselves.
Children who are over-restricted, with too many expectations placed on them; start to feel a psychological suffocation that can manifest as panic attacks. Children who have been abused as well show a high tendency towards panic disorders. Another observation is that if a child was removed from someone who they deeply cared for and who took care of them, they may develop panic attacks as adults.
It is quite inconclusive what the causes of panic disorder are, but the important thing to know is that this disorder is now acknowledged as a medical condition and you can get treatment. Talk to your health care provider or therapist about your symptoms and they will guide you towards treatment that will bring your condition under control.
If you want to learn more about the causes of panic disorder [http://www.turnoffanxiety.com/what-causes-anxiety-disorder/] and you're interested in understanding and eliminating your anxiety and panic attacks, visit my website at http://www.turnoffanxiety.com [http://www.turnoffanxiety.com]
Source...