Panic Disorder - What Causes It?

Panic disorder or panic attacks are common among people. We have come across this term many times before in our lives. So this article will deal with panic attacks and more about them.

What is panic disorder?
A panic attack is a sudden intense wave of extreme fear or anxiety which comes unexpectedly without any prior warning. There may not be any definite reason for the attack. It can also arrive when you are sleeping. The panic episodes usually stop after one but some people experience continuous episodes as well. Panic attacks are very dangerous to experience and it gives you a feeling of losing control or having a heart attack. A person who experiences panic attacks more often is said to have panic disorders.

Symptoms of panic disorder:
There are many important and identifiable symptoms related to Panic attacks and disorders. Let us have a look-

• Feeling or a sense of great danger and panic will arrive all of a sudden. The person may feel that he or she is dying.
• Critical fear of loss in control or even a feeling of death or heart attack.
• Individuals facing a panic attack may tremble or become shaky and will sweat a lot. It will become hard for them to walk. Palpitations are very common symptoms of these.
• It becomes hard to breathe and you will feel a sense of choking in the neck.
• Chest pain, severe headache, feeling of nausea will follow the panic attacks or many people can even experience them beforehand.

Causes for panic disorder:
There is no particular or absolutely certain cause for a panic disorder. But there are some common ones which we will talk about.

• Panic disorder can be inherited genetically from parents. If anyone of the parents has the tendency to panic disorders, then the child may also get the disorder.
• Major stress in someone's life can result in a panic disorder. The mind needs to be fresh and active in a peaceful state as well. So when it gets too much stressed with something, panic attacks arrive.
• Sometimes, panic attacks can even occur when there is a medical disorder in your brain.
• Hypoglycemia or the condition of low blood sugar can also result in a panic attack in many individuals.
• Many people experience panic attacks because of the overuse of stimulants like drugs, caffeine etc.

Some quick tips 
Panic attacks are sudden and unexpected. But there are a few things which you can do to prevent yourself from facing such a disorder.

• Avoid smoking & drinking
• Educate yourself on how to deal with stress 
• Learn to control your breath will also feel you in such situations.
• Try to learn relaxation techniques that will help you to relax at the time of a panic attack.

If no improvement with these tips meet a psychiatrist. He can provide treatment in the form of either psychotherapy (counselling) or medicines (which are safe and effective).