Panic disorder can be caused by any number of stress-inducing factors and events in a person's life. According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, panic disorder is found in women twice as often as in men. About 6 million adults in America deal with the disorder annually, but it can be successfully reduced with treatment.
The Basics
Panic attacks tend to come on suddenly and without warning; having four or more panic attacks could mean that a person has panic disorder, notes MayoClinic.com. The experience of a panic attack can be very frightening, not only for the person it happens to, but also for those who witness its occurrence.
Signs and Symptoms
According to HelpGuide.org, the signs of panic disorder include the occurrence of frequent panic attacks that cannot be related to a specific situation, constant worry about experiencing another attack and trying to avoid future panic attacks by engaging in certain routines or avoiding places where panic attacks previously occurred.
Considerations
When trying to determine the cause of panic attacks or panic disorder, it is important to keep in mind that individual characteristics contribute to development of the disorder. Also, one of the significant causes of panic disorder and the perpetuation of the disorder is the fear of future panic attacks. People with panic disorder are constantly worried and fearful about having another panic attack--so much so that they may reduce the amount of time they spend outside their home or driving in their car. A person with panic disorders has an intense fear of being trapped or in public when a panic attack sets in, which in fact can trigger another panic attack.
Causes
Panic attacks and the resulting panic disorder have been shown to be caused by a number or medical conditions and life events, but an exact cause of panic disorder has not been found. MayoClinic.com reports that a person’s genetics seem to contribute to whether or not she will develop panic disorder, meaning that if a blood relative experienced panic attacks, her chances of experiencing them increase. HelpGuide.org reports that intense periods of stress, which occur as a result of a chronic health condition, divorce, death of a relative or friend, significant financial problems, or major life events such as graduation, accepting a big promotion or buying a house can result in the development of panic disorder. Health problems that can induce panic disorder include mitral valve prolapse, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and withdrawal from certain medications, notes HelpGuide.org.
Significance
Panic attacks are significant events that can produce choking feelings, loss of control, hot and cold flashes, racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, pain in the chest, lightheadedness and numbness or tingling--feelings that are similar to those experienced when a person is having a heart attack, notes HelpGuide.org. It is important to keep in mind that if a person keeps going to the hospital emergency room complaining of these symptoms and no medical culprit, such as a heart attack, can be found, it may be undiagnosed panic disorder.
