Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments for Panic Attack Disorder

Everyone, from time to time, experiences panic since it is the body’s natural way of dealing with danger. A panic attack disorder, however, can be distinguished from normal bouts of panic by the frequency and intensity of the panic attacks. As well, a panic attack disorder is accompanied by a generalized fear or unease, whereas a typical bout of panic has a specific, identifiable cause. Think of it like this: a panic attack may disrupt your morning jog, maybe even your day, but a panic attack disorder will disrupt your life.

A panic attack disorder, more commonly known as general anxiety disorder, is a medical condition in which a person experiences frequent, random, overwhelming bouts of unreasonable fear. At the same time, the person may also experience trembling, heart palpitations, sweating, chest pains, shortness of breath, choking, nausea, dizziness, cramping, tingling, numbness, chills, hot flashes, and even “out of body” experiences. Children who suffer from a panic attack disorder will experience the same symptoms but may manifest them differently. In addition to the usually symptoms, look for children who freeze up, cry or urinate themselves on repeated occasions and without any explanation.

The causes of the panic attacks that are the main symptom of a disorder are not obvious. Usually, a person will be unable to identify what brought on the attack, instead just describing a sense of overwhelming dread or loss of control. This is one way you can distinguish a panic attack disorder from a normal bout of panic or panic associated with an underlying phobia.

Though the causes of the panic attacks are unclear – i.e. what triggers the adrenal response that causes the panic attack is unclear – the causes of panic attack disorders are becoming a little, more clear with study. A panic attack disorder is thought to be caused by irregular levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry signals from nerve endings to the brain and vice versa. Neurotransmitters that are associated with anxiety include norepinephrine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin. A panic attack disorder can also be precipitated by a combination of a stressful environment and poor health.

Most often, a panic attack disorder is treated with a combination of therapy and medicine. Because it is often associated with depression, a person with a panic attack disorder may receive therapy for depression and medications such as benzodiazepines or SSRIs to control stress levels and panic attack symptoms. Holistic treatment for a panic attack disorder includes herbal supplements, aromatherapy, nutritional management and meditative exercise such as yoga or walking.

A panic attack every once and again, is unpleasant, but normal. A panic attack disorder is not normal, and it can be disabling. If you suffer from frequent, severe and inexplicable bouts of panic you should seek medical attention to diagnose a panic attack disorder and begin the proper course of treatment.