What Causes Panic Attacks

The complete story of what causes panic attacks hasn’t been discovered, but a few facts are known and observations of people suffering panic attacks raises some possibilities.

As I report on the page Panic Attacks and Genes, a genetic association has been identified.

However the cause of panic attacks is not entirely genetic.  Not everyone with the abnormal gene has panic attacks and not every person with panic attacks has the abnormal gene.

Panic attacks definitely run in families 

In part this is because of genes, but it may also reflect the fact that family members tend to be exposed to the same environment and also may learn similar emotional and psychological coping styles.

Panic attacks seem to be more common in those whose parents have a fearful world view.  Also those who learn a less assertive style of interacting with other seem to be more prone to panic attacks.

Environmental factors appear to play a role as well. 

There is some evidence that loses early in life might be associated with a greater risk of panic attacks down the road.

Another factor is chronic stress.  Even relatively mild stress if prolonged and repeated enough can increase the risk of a panic attack.

In some people, alcohol or drug abuse can be a direct cause of panic attacks.

What ever the cause, panic attacks definitely should be treated.    If they aren’t used, a person can enter a downward spiral of increasing fear and decreasing engagement with the world.

Fortunately, effective treatments are available. 

You can go to  What To Do About Panic Attacks to find out more about the treatment of panic attacks.

And if you want to read my review of an extremely effective way to treat panic attacks, click here to visit Panic Away Review

Or go here to find out about a great system that's helped thousands of people:

Panic Away