Panic Attack – What Triggers It?

When it comes to panic attack, people usually tend to wonder what triggers it. Experts believe that there are two different types of stimuli that results in this condition, namely: internal and external stimuli.

1) Internal stimuli include the following:

a) Emotions

b) Thoughts

c) Bodily sensation such as a skipped heart beat or a stomach acne.

2) External stimuli include the following present in the environment:

a) A smell

b) A funny taste in the mouth

c) A change in lighting

d) A change in temperature inside the room

e) Noise

f) Changes in the manner things sound usually.

It is quite possible for a person with panic disorder to recognize these factors. It takes some efforts to understand the way these factors work and the reason they trigger the attack.

Here, one needs to get a clear understanding of what exactly causes panic disorder. It is quite possible that the person with panic disorder may have developed a highly sensitive nervous system.

Thereafter, chronic stressors may have over stimulated the nervous system and made it hyper active. Here, the nervous system is ready to fire even at the slightest trigger. Whenever the nervous system faces this sort of hyper alert situation, it is referred to as a ‘Sensitized’ form of nervous system.

When the nervous system reaches the stage of being sensitized, a small stimulus may result in a minor moment of worry in a different individual. The result is an onset of the usual fight or flight response. Now, this response can be seen in a form of a panic attack in the person with sensitized nervous system.

The symptoms are quite frightening. Hence, people may fear of getting another attack. The fear ultimately results in a cycle of panic and hence, one may experience more attacks.

3) Here are some other causes that may lead to a panic attack or a series of panic attack in an individual:

a) Stress

Sometime, stressful situation tend to result in panic attacks. In case, you fear stress a significant cause of panic attacks, look for professional counseling. This is an integral part of most people who are in to demanding careers.

The best way is to relax. You must also make some efforts to identify minor symptoms that lead to an attack know how to stop this from happening. Relaxation techniques or medication can really help.

b) Lifestyle and Diet

The food you take plays a major role in triggering panic attacks. For instance, Niacin, Vitamin B12 and Thiamin are very helpful in keeping your nervous system maintained. These also have the ability to reduce the possibilities of panic attacks.

c) Avoid alcohol and Caffeine

Alcohol tends to raise the level of hyperactivity and enhances the amount of alertness. This results in a type of agitation. Caffeine has a potential to stimulate heart beat and sugar may trigger hyperactivity and mood swings.

Keeping the above mentioned tips in mind and meeting your health care professional on a regular basis would help you reduce the frequency of the occurrence of panic attacks.