| A panic attack can come out of nowhere. It is | | | | When a person is physically ill, the attacks can be |
| characterized by rapid short breaths that could be | | | | caused by the abnormal state of the body. |
| mistaken for an asthma attack or even a heart attack. | | | | Medications may also cause an attack. This is |
| The attack can be emotionally disabling and can even | | | | because some medications, or strong dosages of |
| be momentarily paralyzing. The victim is enveloped | | | | otherwise harmless medicines, can create extreme |
| with illogical fear for something that will not do him real | | | | feelings of anxiety. Some people, when ill, can have a |
| harm. For those whose fear is more social than | | | | weird response to external factors. |
| physical, irrational expectations are also entertained in | | | | Possible gene inheritance trigger |
| the mind. Here are some examples of what causes | | | | What causes panic attacks in some people is their |
| panic attacks: | | | | genetic make-up. This may seem strange, but there |
| Extreme introversion | | | | are families with several members who experience |
| Someone who is too shy can panic in the presence of | | | | chronic attacks. Just as other diseases can be |
| a lot of strangers, or maybe even in front of a few. He | | | | inherited, these attacks apparently can be passed on |
| may also feel as if he is being choked when asked to | | | | to the next generation. A history of anxiety and other |
| say a few words in public. Extreme introversion can | | | | psychological problems could also be warning signs for |
| make a person have an attack. There is a strong | | | | possible attacks in the future. People with afflicted |
| desire in that person to just hide. These attacks in a | | | | family members should seek professional counseling |
| shy person can be caused by a strong anticipation of | | | | before an attack strikes them. |
| everything that could go wrong if he deals with other | | | | Panic disorder |
| people. Note that not only shy people can get very | | | | If these attacks are not treated properly, the afflicted |
| anxious. Even normally extroverted people can | | | | person can develop a panic disorder. In the same way, |
| experience bouts of anxiety. | | | | a person with panic disorder will have panic attacks |
| Major Stress | | | | from time to time. So, a panic disorder can still be |
| A major stressful event can induce an attack. They | | | | considered a cause of panic attacks. |
| can be caused in a stressed out person by being | | | | An anxiety attack can be a frightening experience for |
| psychologically set in "flight mode", ready to escape | | | | the afflicted and his family and friends. This should |
| when something does go wrong. This anticipation of | | | | never be treated lightly and must therefore be fully |
| something going wrong is similar to that of a shy | | | | addressed by a psychologist. If a series of |
| person waiting or expecting something negative to | | | | unaddressed panic attacks develop into a full-scale |
| happen. The human body has a natural response to | | | | panic disorder, treatment can be more difficult. Though |
| danger. If this response is triggered without due cause, | | | | genes and introversion both play as factors in anxiety |
| then what results is a panic attack. Major stress can | | | | attacks, extroverts with no family history should never |
| trigger that response. | | | | be discounted. |
| Physical illness | | | | |