What Causes Panic Attacks?

Determining the cause of panic attacks is somewhat difficult, since panic and anxiety are natural responses in human beings. Panic and anxiety become a problem when they manifest for apparently no reason at all. The cause of panic attacks can be better understood as a malfunction of an appropriate response. Panic itself is natural; however, those suffering from panic attacks must attempt to determine the cause of unjust or irrational panic.

Panic is a response to danger or threat. Scientifically, immediate or short term panic or anxiety is termed the fight/flight response. It is so named because all of its effects are aimed toward either fighting or fleeing the danger. Thus, the number one purpose for panic and anxiety is to protect ourselves. In primitive times, it was vital that when faced with some danger, an automatic response would take over causing us to take immediate action, such as attacking or running. Even in our modern world this is a necessary mechanism. Just imagine if you were crossing a street when suddenly a car sped toward you, blasting its horn. If you experienced absolutely no anxiety, you would be killed. However, more likely, your fight/flight response would take over and you would run out of harm’s way. The purpose of anxiety and panic is to protect us, not to harm us.

Anxiety and panic manifests itself through three separate systems. It is important to identify these systems since each one can be primary in any individual person. The three systems are: the mental system (which includes the actual feelings of nervousness, anxiety and panic and also includes thoughts such as "there is something wrong"), the physical system (which includes all the physical symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, palpitations, chest pain, and breathlessness), and the behavioral system (which includes the actual activities such as pacing, foot tapping and avoidance). In panic attacks the physical system becomes the most important since it is these symptoms which are most easily mistaken as indicating some serious disease.

The Mental System

The number one effect of the fight/flight response is to alert us to the possible existence of danger. Thus, one of the major effects is an immediate and automatic shift in attention to search the surroundings for potential threat. In other words, it is very difficult to concentrate on daily tasks when one is anxious. Therefore, people who are anxious often complain that they are easily distracted from daily chores, that they cannot concentrate, and that they have trouble with their memory. This is a normal and important part of the fight/flight response since its purpose is to stop you from attending to your ongoing chores and to permit you to scan your surroundings for possible danger. Sometimes, an obvious threat cannot be found. Unfortunately, most humans cannot accept having no explanation for something. Therefore, in many cases, when people cannot find an explanation for their sensations, they turn their search upon themselves. In other words, "if nothing out there is making me feel anxious, there must be something wrong with me." In this case, the brain invents an explanation such as, "I must be dying, losing control, or going crazy." Nothing could be further from the truth since the purpose of the fight/flight response is to protect us, not harm us. Nevertheless, these are understandable thoughts supported by physical symptoms of panic.

The Physical System

When some sort of danger is perceived or anticipated, the brain sends messages to a section of your nerves called the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is directly involved in controlling the body's energy levels and preparation for action. When you perceive a danger or threat, your body prepares itself for fight or flight. The physical aspects of panic include an immediate alteration of the functioning of the eyes, several major glands, the brain, the heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, pancreas, kidneys and bladder, and the major muscle groups. The cardiovascular system in launched into overdrive, and the rate of respiration increases. The metabolism is increased, and excess amounts of sugars and fatty acids are released into the bloodstream. These physical symptoms can often lead a person to believe that he or she is suffering from a heart attack, stroke, or other major physical illness.

The Behavioral System

As mentioned before, the fight/flight response prepares the body for action - either to attack or to run. Thus, it is no surprise that the overwhelming urges associated with this response are those of aggression and a desire to escape wherever you are. When this is not possible (due to social constraints), the urges will often be shown through such behaviors as foot tapping, pacing or aggression towards others. Overall, the feelings produced are those of being trapped and needing to escape. People who suffer from panic attacks will often avoid situations in which they may experience panic. For some people, this can mean avoiding any situation in which immediate escape is not possible. Clearly, this type of avoidance is damaging to the quality of life.