Panic Attack Causes

There are many factors which can make a person susceptible to anxiety disorders and panic attacks, such as their living environment and daily interactions. While panic attacks themselves are not hereditary, a person’s genes can make them more prone to experiencing them.

The number one cause of panic attacks is exhaustion – be it physical, mental or emotional. Simply put: if you are regularly exposed to stress (whether it be physical, emotional or psychological) that exceeds your ability to cope, you can become susceptible to ‘mental illness’ and are far more vulnerable to anxiety and anxiety-related disorders, such as panic attacks.

A misaligned or subluxated rib or vertebrae

Another cause of panic attacks can be from a subluxated or misaligned (or “partially dislocated”) rib or vertebrae. If a rib or vertebrae (most commonly the C-1 Atlas vertebrae from the cervical spine) is subluxated, it can prevent nerve signals from travelling between your upper abdominal area or chest area (on the particular side that the rib is subluxated on) and can cause the area to feel numb, to have spasms [1] or to feel strange in general. As a result of this numbness or strange feeling, one can often feel their heart beat particularly well or uncomfortably, which can be a source of concern and can result in panic attacks.

Chemical Imbalance

Another theory is that anxiety disorders and panic attacks are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Often treated with medication (usually a combination of anti-depressants and sedatives); a theory that operates on the premise of correcting this ‘imbalance’. This aims to aid the sufferer by inducing an artificial state of relaxation (sedatives) in times of anxiety, whilst managing the individual’s predisposition to negative thoughts and feelings with the use of anti-depressant medication. This theory, however, has been proven untrue time and again, and many panic attack sufferers report little success with medication, and indeed find that their symptoms return if it is their only form of treatment.

Physical, Mental & Emotional Exhaustion

In addition to a subluxated rib or vertebrae, we believe that a panic attack is either caused by physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. The late Dr. Claire Weekes, one of the world’s leading experts in anxiety disorders, believed that anxiety (and anxiety disorders) stem from exhaustion – whether mental, physical or emotional. The mind is at its most vulnerable when a person is exhausted, which can lead to “mental-illness”.

A few examples can include:

• Physical Exhaustion

Repeated physical work or not getting enough rest/sleep night after night for a long period of time.

• Mental Exhaustion

Repeated and constant exposure to mentally stressful work or exercises, such as managing a heavy work load in an office environment or other activities that required strenuous thinking.

• Emotional Exhaustion

Repeated and constant exposure to an emotionally stressful or distressing event/situation, such as a death/illness in the family, bullying at work, etc.

When exhausted, all the body’s defences are lowered, and a person can become extremely ‘sensitized’ or sensitive to any stimuli. Their senses are heightened, and even the most ordinary incidents or bodily functions can elicit an extreme response from a person in this state.

It is in this state that you are extremely prone to anxiety and panic attacks. An episode can start with the smallest symptom or sign of discomfort, like a strong heartbeat (palpitation) or a stomach cramp. You are more aware of it and it may even feel abnormal because of your sensitized state of mind, and it can make you feel confused and concerned. The more you think about it, and consequently fear it, the worse it becomes. As fear grows, other symptoms start to appear, and you begin to feel as though there may be something genuinely wrong with your body.

The moment you begin to worry or fear these symptoms, anxiety begins building up and your body prepares for a ‘fight or flight’ response, slowly releasing adrenaline into your blood stream. In earlier days you would use this adrenaline to either fight off a threat or to run away from danger. When, however, this ‘threat’ or ‘danger’ is coming from your own body, you become confused as to how to approach it.

As adrenaline is released, your heart begins to beat faster and blood moves to muscles and other areas where it is needed most – often causing hot and cold flushes, pale skin and/or pins-and-needles – symptoms that are very similar to that of a  a heart attack.

It is at this stage that a person begins to lose control and the harder they try to make it all stop (i.e. fight off these symptoms), the more adrenaline is released causing your heart to beat even faster until you reach a full blown state of panic.

It is important to note that the above mentioned panic attack causes are very general and in some cases the cause of exhaustion can come indirectly – e.g. a troubling experience from your childhood which can cause emotional exhaustion over time.

Panic Attack Treatment
Panic Attack Symptoms
Panic Attack (Panic Disorder)

References:

1. EntireHealth.com.au – Rib Subluxation