Panic attack triggers may be associated with a certain phobia, or fear of a specific object or situation. Just thinking about a feared object or situation can trigger a panic attack. Some panic attacks have no definable trigger, which makes them extremely difficult to treat. Recurrent panic attacks and the fear of future attacks constitutes panic disorder. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2 to 5 percent of Americans have panic disorder.
Caffeine and Panic Symptoms
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant drug that speeds up many of the body's functions. It makes your heart beat faster and increases your breathing rate. Caffeine also makes your nerves more sensitive, which can make you feel jittery or anxious. Feelings of anxiety accompanied by rapid heart rate and breathing are also characteristic symptoms of panic attacks. Although these symptoms may be the result of caffeine, the mind may misinterpret these symptoms as the beginning of a panic attack and cause one to happen.
Anticipatory Anxiety
Anticipatory anxiety is feeling worried or nervous about a future event. Anticipatory anxiety may be experienced before going to the dentist, before giving a speech or while you are waiting in line to ride a roller coaster, for example. It is a common and understandable response to stressful situations. However, when taken to the extreme, anticipatory anxiety can trigger panic attacks. For example, excessively worrying about a presentation at work can make you feel lightheaded and have difficulty breathing. Having a cup of coffee before your presentation will significantly heighten these symptoms and can lead to a full blown panic attack.
Unpredictability
According to the National Institutes of Health, panic attacks occur suddenly and cannot be predicted. They are often initially mistaken for heart attacks, causing the afflicted to go to the emergency room. The unpredictable nature of panic attacks makes them difficult to control and just thinking about a past attack can cause one to happen. People who have panic disorder may use illegal drugs to cope with the unpredictability of these attacks. However, like caffeine, cocaine is a stimulant drug that can trigger or worsen panic attacks.
Research
According to an article entitled, "Caffeine, Mental Health and Psychiatric Disorders," which was published by "Journal of Alzheimer's Disease," in 2010, studies have shown that caffeine can cause anxiety, and, in rare cases, symptoms of psychosis and mania. In fact, patients with panic disorder are especially sensitive to caffeine. These findings supported those found in a 2007 study that appeared in the May-June issue of "Comprehensive Psychiatry." In this study, patients with either panic disorder or before panic attacks demonstrated a hyperreactivity to caffeine.
References
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Panic Disorder
- FamilyDoctor.org: Anxiety and Panic: Gaining Control Over How You're Feeling
- MedlinePlus: Panic Disorder
- "Comprehensive Psychiatry"; Caffeine Challenge Test in Panic Disorder and Depression with Panic Attacks: A.E. Nardi, et al.: May-June 2007
- "Journal of Alzheimer's Disease"; Caffeine, Mental Health, and Psychiatric Disorders; D.R. Lara; 2010
