If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack, you know how overwhelming and terrifying it can feel. Your heart races, your mind spirals, and you may feel like something is seriously wrong, even when you’re completely safe. Our panic disorder treatment may be able to help.
Understanding what causes panic attacks and recognizing their symptoms can be a powerful first step in regaining control and managing these intense episodes. Let’s break it down.
What Exactly Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort that reaches its peak within minutes. It’s often accompanied by physical and emotional symptoms that can make you feel like you’re completely losing control. Panic attacks can happen out of the blue or in response to certain triggers, and while they’re not life-threatening, they are incredibly distressing.
What Causes Panic Attacks?
The exact causes of panic attacks aren’t entirely clear, but experts believe they may stem from a combination of physical, emotional, and environmental factors. Here are some common contributors:
Stress and Anxiety
Persistent stress or anxiety can overload your system, making a panic attack more likely. Major life events like exams, job stress, or relationship challenges can all play a role.
Chemical Imbalances in the Brain
Your brain relies on a balance of chemicals like serotonin and adrenaline to regulate mood and stress responses. Imbalances in these chemicals can increase the likelihood of experiencing a panic attack.
Family History
If your parents or siblings have struggled with panic attacks or anxiety disorders, you might be more prone to them, too. Genetics seem to play a role in who is more likely to experience panic attacks.
Trauma or Emotional Triggers
Experiencing or recalling trauma — whether it’s a car accident, bullying, or loss — can activate a panic attack. Unresolved emotional pain or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another contributing factor.
Health Concerns
Sometimes medical conditions like thyroid issues, heart problems, or respiratory disorders can mimic or contribute to panic attacks. Substances like caffeine, nicotine, or certain medications can also provoke symptoms in some people.
What Triggers Panic Attacks?
While the causes might lie more in the background, triggers are the specific moments or circumstances that push a panic attack into motion. Common triggers include:
- Phobias – Confronting intense fears, such as flying, heights, or public speaking, can spark a panic attack.
- Crowded or confined spaces – Environments like packed buses or elevators can feel overwhelming for some people, leading to an attack.
- Overthinking or catastrophizing – Stressful “what-ifs” or worrying about the worst-case scenario can set off the body’s fear response.
- Physical sensations mimicking panic – Feeling lightheaded or a rapid heartbeat (like during exercise) can send signals to your brain that a panic attack is on the way, which may, in turn, trigger one.
- Past attack reminders – Being in a situation similar to the one where you had a previous panic attack can act as a trigger.
Every person may have different triggers, and some things that trigger panic attacks for one person may not affect another. It’s important to pay attention to your individual experience and identify potential triggers so you can better manage them.
Panic Attack Symptoms to Watch For
The symptoms of a panic attack can vary from person to person, but they often include a mix of physical and psychological signs. These can come on suddenly and intensify quickly. Some common symptoms are:
Physical Symptoms
- Racing or pounding heart
- Sweating or chills
- Shortness of breath or hyperventilation
- Shaking or trembling
- Feeling weak or dizzy
- Nausea or stomach distress
- Chest pain or tightness (often mistaken for a heart attack)
Psychological Symptoms
- Fear of losing control or going crazy
- Feeling detached from reality or yourself (derealization or depersonalization)
- An overwhelming sense of impending doom
Having these symptoms is scary, but they’re your body’s way of responding to a perceived danger, even if that danger isn’t real.
How Long Can Panic Attacks Last?
One key question people often ask is, how long can panic attacks last? Panic attacks tend to peak within 10 minutes and usually subside within 20 to 30 minutes. However, the aftermath — feeling drained, shaky, or emotionally raw — can linger for hours.
In rare cases, some people experience cyclical panic attacks, where symptoms ebb and flow over longer periods. This can make it feel like the attack is lasting far longer than typical
Call MCAW to Find Support for Panic Attacks
If you’re frequently experiencing panic attacks or struggling with anxiety, reaching out for help is crucial. Therapy can help you identify triggers and work through them. Medications may also be an option for managing severe anxiety. Call us at 855.940.6229 or contact us online to find support and resources for managing panic attacks. We’re here to help you on your journey towards greater peace and well-being. Remember that you are not alone in your struggle and there is always help available to guide you through it.
