Why do panic attacks happen for no reason

That can lead to jittery hands and a rumbling tummy. It can also trigger anxiety. Eating balanced meals is important for many reasons. It provides you with energy and important nutrients. Remember, food can affect your mood. If you tend to use a lot of negative words when thinking about yourself, learning to refocus your language and feelings when you start down this path is helpful. Working with a therapist can be incredibly helpful with this process. Worries about saving money or having debt can trigger anxiety.

Unexpected bills or money fears are triggers, too. Learning to manage these types of triggers may require seeking professional help, such as from a financial advisor. Feeling you have a companion and a guide in the process may ease your concern.

To help ease your worries or unease, you can always bring along a companion when possible. Relationship problems, arguments, disagreements — these conflicts can all trigger or worsen anxiety. If conflict particularly triggers you, you may need to learn conflict resolution strategies. Also, talk with a therapist or other mental health expert to learn how to manage the feelings these conflicts cause. Daily stressors like traffic jams or missing your train can cause anyone anxiety.

But long-term or chronic stress can lead to long-term anxiety and worsening symptoms, as well as other health problems. Stress can also lead to behaviors like skipping meals, drinking alcohol , or not getting enough sleep. These factors can trigger or worsen anxiety, too. Treating and preventing stress often requires learning coping mechanisms.

A therapist or counselor can help you learn to recognize your sources of stress and handle them when they become overwhelming or problematic. Public speaking , talking in front of your boss, performing in a competition, or even just reading aloud is a common trigger of anxiety.

If your job or hobbies require this, your doctor or therapist can work with you to learn ways to be more comfortable in these settings.

Also, positive reinforcements from friends and colleagues can help you feel more comfortable and confident. These triggers may be difficult to identify, but a mental health specialist is trained to help you identify them. These may begin with a smell, a place, or even a song. Personal triggers remind you, either consciously or unconsciously, of a bad memory or traumatic event in your life. Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD frequently experience anxiety triggers from environmental triggers.

If you can identify and understand your triggers, you can work to avoid them and to cope. You can learn specific coping strategies to handle the triggers when they happen. The most common symptoms of anxiety include:. If you experience these symptoms regularly for six months or more, you may have generalized anxiety disorder GAD.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use.

Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Top of the page. Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder. Topic Overview What are panic attacks and panic disorder? More women than men get panic attacks. What causes panic attacks and panic disorder? Panic attacks may also be brought on by: A health problem such as an overactive thyroid hyperthyroidism , or heart or breathing problems.

Depression or another mood disorder. Heavy alcohol use. Using too much nicotine or too much caffeine. Taking certain medicines, such as those used to treat asthma and heart problems. Drug use. Living with high levels of stress for a long time.

What are the symptoms? Symptoms of a panic attack may include: A feeling of intense fear, terror, or anxiety. Trouble breathing or very fast breathing. Chest pain or tightness. A heartbeat that races or isn't regular. Nausea or an upset stomach. Dizziness and shaking. Numbness or tingling. Symptoms of panic disorder may include: Repeated panic attacks when there is no reason for the fight-or-flight response.

Changing your daily activities because you worry that you will have another attack. People who have panic disorder often have depression at the same time. How are panic attacks and panic disorder diagnosed? How are they treated? Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Actionsets are designed to help people take an active role in managing a health condition.

Cause The exact cause of panic disorder isn't clear. You can have a panic attack without having panic disorder. Panic attacks may be triggered by: Drinking large amounts of alcohol or abruptly stopping the use of alcohol.

Drinking large amounts of caffeine. It greatly increases the amount of nicotine in the blood. Taking certain medicines such as those used to treat asthma and heart conditions or abruptly stopping certain medicines such as those used to treat anxiety or sleep problems.

Using drugs. Having high levels of stress for a long time. Having recently had a baby. Having recently had surgery or been under general anesthesia.

Panic attacks also can be caused by or linked with other medical conditions, including: Thyroid problems, such as an overactive thyroid hyperthyroidism. Heart problems. Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy. Respiratory problems, such as COPD.

Stopping the use of a prescription medicine, such as a heart medicine. Anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Symptoms The main symptom of a panic attack is an overwhelming feeling of fear or anxiety.

Symptoms of a panic attack may include: Rapid breathing hyperventilation , shortness of breath, or a feeling of choking or being smothered. A pounding or racing heart or an irregular heartbeat. Chest pain. Shaking, trembling, or feeling lightheaded or dizzy.

Sweating, chills, or hot flashes. Fear that you are going to die, lose control, or "go crazy. Agoraphobia Panic attacks may begin without a trigger. Symptoms in children Panic attacks aren't common in children or younger teens.

They may be overly afraid of common objects such as bugs. They may worry too much about monsters or about going to bed alone. They may refuse to go to school or become unusually upset when they are separated from a parent. What Happens A first panic attack often starts without warning during an ordinary activity such as shopping or walking down the street. You may become confused and think you are "going crazy. You may feel a strong need to leave the area and go to a place that feels safe, such as your car or home.

You may also have physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, a pounding heart, or chest pain. It is common to think that you are having a heart attack and to seek treatment in a hospital emergency room. The intensity of these symptoms usually peaks within 10 minutes. Panic disorder Common traits in panic disorder include: Feeling exhausted from lack of sleep. Using drugs or alcohol to numb your fears or give you a false sense of courage to face feared situations.

Having depression. Having irrational fears phobias. Having other anxiety disorders , such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Having trouble relating to other people in social settings because of intense feelings of anxiety. What Increases Your Risk Your risk for panic attacks and panic disorder may be higher if you: Have a family history of panic disorder.

You are also at increased risk if you have a parent with either depression or bipolar disorder. Have other conditions associated with panic disorder or panic attacks, such as depression.

Drink alcohol, use illegal drugs, chain-smoke cigarettes, or drink large amounts of coffee or other caffeinated beverages. Take medicines known to trigger panic attacks, such as those used to treat asthma or heart problems. Have had previous, unexpected panic attacks. When should you call your doctor? Call your doctor if you have: Attacks of intense fear or anxiety that seem to come on without a reason.

A panic attack or worry that you will have another one, and your worrying interferes with your ability to do your daily activities. Occasional physical symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain , and you are not sure what is causing them. Watchful waiting It can be hard to tell the difference between the symptoms of a panic attack such as shortness of breath and chest pain and the symptoms of a heart attack or another serious medical problem.

Who to see The following health professionals can diagnose panic attacks. They may work together with other health professionals to treat panic attacks and panic disorder: Emergency medicine specialist Family medicine physician General practitioner Physician assistant Nurse practitioner Treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder may also be provided by a: Psychiatrist.

Licensed professional counselor. Exams and Tests You may be diagnosed with panic disorder if you have at least two unexpected panic attacks along with fear or worry about having another panic attack and avoiding situations that may trigger it. Treatment Overview Successful treatment reduces how many panic attacks you have and how often you have them.

Treatment may include: Professional counseling , such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. To learn more, see Other Treatment. Medicines, such as an antidepressant or a benzodiazepine. Home treatment, such as relaxation exercises. Prevention Panic disorder cannot be prevented. Home Treatment Here are steps you can take to decrease the number of panic attacks you have. These steps can also reduce the severity of your symptoms when an attack does occur: Reduce anxiety.

Do tension-reducing activities, and lower the amount of stress in your life. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What is a panic attack? Some people may develop panic disorders For many people, the feelings of panic occur only occasionally during periods of stress or illness.

Symptoms Symptoms of a panic attack can include: Heightened vigilance for danger and physical symptoms Anxious and irrational thinking A strong feeling of dread, danger or foreboding Fear of going mad, losing control, or dying Feeling lightheaded and dizzy Tingling and chills, particularly in the arms and hands Trembling or shaking, sweating Hot flushes Accelerated heart rate A feeling of constriction in the chest Breathing difficulties, including shortness of breath Nausea or abdominal distress Tense muscles Dry mouth Feelings of unreality and detachment from the environment.

Acute stress such as experiencing a traumatic event — can suddenly flood the body with large amounts of stress chemicals. Habitual hyperventilation — disturbs the balance of blood gases because there is not enough carbon dioxide in the blood. Intense physical exercise — for some people, this may cause extreme reactions. Excessive caffeine intake — the caffeine in coffee, tea and other beverages is a strong stimulant. Illness — may cause physical changes. A sudden change of environment — such as walking into an overcrowded, hot or stuffy environment.

Causes other than anxiety Some symptoms that are common to panic attacks may also occur in some physical conditions. Focus your attention on something outside your own body and symptoms.

For example, distract yourself by counting backwards in threes from , recall the words from a favourite song or concentrate on the sights and sounds around you. Fleeing from the situation will only reinforce the perception that your panic attacks are unbearable. If you sit and allow the symptoms to pass, you gain confidence in your ability to cope. Medical treatment options If the physical anxiety symptoms are caused by physical illnesses, such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism, proper treatment for these illnesses should stop the panic-like symptoms from recurring.

If the panic attacks are due to anxiety, treatment options can include: Medications Psychotherapy, including cognitive behaviour therapy Biofeedback therapy Stress management techniques Proper breathing techniques Relaxation techniques Learning problem-solving skills Lifestyle adjustments, such as attention to diet, exercise and sleep.

This article is based on answers to questions on managing stress and anxiety in the festive season posted by visitors to the Better Health Channel. Barlow, D. Guildford Press, p. Panic attacks , Mental Health First Aid.