How to Know Panic Disorder Causes

A panic disorder is a neurological condition that causes frequent and intense panic or anxiety attacks, disrupting a person's everyday life. By understanding the biological, neurological and psychological factors that cause panic disorders, you will know which course of treatment should be chosen.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Doctor or other health care professional
• Journal

Know the Causes of Panic Disorders

1. Ask whether anyone in your family tree has had panic disorder. Researchers know there is a genetic basis for a panic disorder, so heredity may come into play. Not only will someone be more likely to develop a panic disorder if it runs in the family, but panic disorders are considered to be more likely among people who also suffer from bipolar disorders and alcoholism.

2. Find out about the biological conditions that can cause a panic disorder. Panic attacks are much more common with individuals who suffer from hypoglycemia (low blood-glucose levels), hyperthyroidism (excessive hormones released by the thyroid gland), chronic inner ear infections and certain types of heart conditions such as mitral valve prolapse. Individuals with sleep apnea, a condition where breathing is obstructed during sleep, can also suffer from panic attacks due to the restriction of oxygen to the brain.

3. Note how other neurological and psychological conditions can aggravate or cause a panic disorder. Clinical depression, eating disorders and the aforementioned bipolar disorders can all be linked to panic disorders.

4. Limit or avoid stimulants. Excessive use of stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and sugar may also trigger a panic disorder. Use of street drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine and crystal methedrine may also be instrumental in causing panic or anxiety attacks.

5. Learn some of the alternative theories currently discussed about the causes of panic disorders. Many medical researchers feel that an important component of panic attack is a "catastrophic misinterpretation" of the sufferer to stressful events. For example, symptoms of a panic attack may be thought by the sufferer to be signs of a more serious condition, such as a heart attack or stroke. This leads to an increase in anxiety, making the panic attack even worse.

6. Document your panic attacks in a journal, carefully writing down the time, location, duration and intensity of the anxiety attack and what negative thoughts or psychological triggers caused it.

Tips & Warnings

• Cigarette smoking can be unusually conducive to panic or anxiety attacks. Not only can nicotine, a noted stimulant, increase the chance of a panic disorder, but expelled cigarette smoke produces carbon monoxide, another known panic disorder trigger.

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[gismo]

on 7/4/2008 I have had panic attacks for about 3 years now i have had alot of tests to do with my heart just to confirm that they are panic attacks.No one else in my family have ever had a panic attack i am the only one.I have learnt to cope with them but lately they have got worse after having my 3rd baby.It is somthing you learn to live with and you do learn to cope with them just seek help and do not let it take over your live.I did at one point and i mised out on so much that i will not let it do that to me agen.It dose get better.