Help for Causes of Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety is a normal human condition which can occur during a variety of life's changes such as leaving a child at school for the first day of kindergarten, having to study for a difficult test or moving into a new apartment. Even happy events such as having a baby, getting married or watching a child graduate from high school can cause mild anxiety. All these events and reactions fall with the realm of normal anxiety and can cause a fluttery feeling in the chest or stomach, excess sweating and perhaps even some tears.

Anxiety attacks, however, feel far more intense and threatening when compared to normal stress and may make sufferers feel like they want to run away from the situation, even if there is no obvious cause for the fear. When compared to normal anxiety, it feels as though the person is under siege or at war or having to face a dangerous beast. This intense surge of fear can come out of nowhere, making the condition seem even more baffling. People who have these feelings of extreme stress may feel terrified and out of control and unable to fight the urge to seek safety.

So what are the causes of anxiety attacks? That is the question that both sufferers and their families want to know. There has been much research into the causes of anxiety attacks and there are a variety of factors that may play a role. There are indications that people under severe stress who suffer a loss, such as the death of a parent or friend, can be prone to anxiety attacks. Genetics may also be a factor but some professionals and therapists feel that a combination of genetics and a series of traumatic events may leave some people with the likelihood of having a panic attack. The first one can occur at any point in life.

Research has also pointed to the possibility of changes in brain functioning and chemistry, setting off waves of terror. Even though the person feeling afraid knows that there is no clear danger, nothing to fight or flee, it makes no difference in the intensity of the panic attacks. Because the condition seems to run in some families, this points to a possible genetic connection. Major events, even happy ones, can ironically set off a fearful reaction but sad events can do the same. For vulnerable people, the birth of a baby a death in the family can be the first trigger for those surges in fear that are the hallmarks of a classic panic attack.

Some sufferers might have a history of sexual abuse, most often starting in childhood. It may take the help of a skilled therapist to help someone deal with these frightening and very traumatic memories. Until those prone to panic attacks feel safe, they may not even remember early trauma or abuse. Anyone who starts to suffer panic attacks should consult with both a doctor and therapist to find the possible causes of anxiety, both biological and psychological that could be to blame.

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