When you or someone you love suffers from panic attacks you need to find out all the information you can get a hold of to aid to prevent or stop the occurrence of these attacks. Intense anxiety is one of the triggers of a panic attack. Generally, this is accompanied by feelings of terrible fear and fret as well as an increase of heart beats, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath and various other symptoms. Some individuals liken the feeling to that of having a heart attack or the feeling that they cannot breathe and are about to die from lack of oxygen.

Although the cause of panic attacks have not been specifically pinpointed it is considered that several different issues may play a vital role including that of environmental factors and biological factors depending on each specific case of attacks. Genetics is another possible factor that may contribute to the symptoms of attacks. Studies show that an individual may be predisposed of suffering from attracts when panic disorders and or depression runs in his or her family.

Another biological factor of consideration is that of brain abnormalities and their functions that may increase the chances of an individual suffering from these attacks. For instance, some attacks may occur within families with psychotic disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia. Panic attacks may also be triggered by psychotic symptoms. Researchers also consider that these attacks may be strongly influenced by the natural fight or flight response that deals with the feelings of being in danger, which stimulates the responses of increasing the heart rate and the pattern of breathing. However, it is not known why the feelings of an attack is triggered when there is no real danger in sight or near.

Some individuals suffer from attacks that are triggered by major life stress whether it is a truly stressful event or some type of major life transition such as separation from someone they love as well as the death of a loved one. According to some studies stress lowers your resistance and then any underlying physical predisposition can trigger a panic attack. Addiction is an environmental factor that may cause these attacks. For instance, some contributors of panic disorders may be those of substance or alcohol abuse, intoxication or withdrawal of drugs and alcohol.

A combination of both environmental and biological factors may work in tandem to trigger the symptoms of a panic attack. Although, the attacks may seem to occur for no real reason or just out of nowhere, some individuals seem to be able to bring the symptoms on by their thoughts and feelings associated with a panic disorder. This may occur since they suffer from the anxiety and fear of having yet another attack. Because the attacks are not clearly diagnosed it is essential to search for information as well as searching for various types of therapy and treatment for these attacks.