What causes panic symptoms

Panic symptoms may be caused by genetic factors, psychological stress, neurotransmitter imbalances, traumatic experiences, chronic diseases, and other reasons. Panic attacks typically manifest as acute physiological reactions such as palpitations, sweating, tremors, suffocation, and a sense of impending death, which can be alleviated through psychological therapy, medication intervention, lifestyle adjustments, and other methods.

1. Genetic factors

People with a history of anxiety or panic disorder in the SEP family have a higher probability of developing the disease, and specific genes may affect the brain's regulation of fear signals. These patients have an overly sensitive amygdala and are prone to overreacting to minor stress. It is recommended that individuals with a family history undergo regular mental health screening to identify early warning signals.

2. Psychological stress

Long term work overload, interpersonal conflicts, and other chronic stresses can continuously activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the body being in a state of alertness for a long time. Major life events such as divorce and unemployment may become direct triggers for panic attacks. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients establish healthier stress coping patterns.

3. Neurotransmitter imbalance

Insufficient secretion of gamma aminobutyric acid or abnormal levels of norepinephrine can affect the function of the emotion regulation center. This biochemical abnormality may lead to catastrophic interpretations of normal physiological changes in patients, such as mistaking heart rate acceleration for a heart attack. Medications such as paroxetine hydrochloride tablets can help restore neurotransmitter balance.

4. Traumatic experiences

Childhood abuse, violent events, and other traumatic memories can lead to abnormal reinforcement of the brain's fear circuit. When encountering trauma related scenarios, patients may suddenly experience a strong fear response at the time. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy have significant effects on this type of etiology.

5. Chronic diseases

Physical diseases such as hyperthyroidism and arrhythmia may trigger physiological symptoms similar to panic attacks. About half of patients with mitral valve prolapse have panic disorder. While treating the primary disease, escitalopram oxalate tablets can improve secondary anxiety symptoms. Maintaining a regular schedule and moderate exercise can help stabilize autonomic nervous system function. It is recommended to engage in aerobic exercise three times a week. Add foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon and walnuts to your diet, and avoid excessive intake of caffeine. Practicing diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can reduce the risk of acute attacks. If symptoms persist, it is important to seek timely medical attention at a mental health clinic. Recording the situation and physical reactions during an attack can provide important reference for doctors' diagnosis.