Anxiety Disorders - Causes of Anxiety Attacks

To understand the causes of anxiety attacks, it is important to be able to tell how they manifest. There are many reasons that can cause one anxiety and unfortunately the daily life we live brings along many things that lead to a build up of anxiety.

Since we assume that we are just facing the normal challenges that each day brings, we may never suspect that we have an anxiety disorder until it starts to manifest as physical symptoms. In fact, most anxiety disorders will not be suspected until they start to manifest physically. They lie underneath and fester and then catch the sufferer by surprise. This makes it all the more significant that today; science has made great strides in getting effective treatment for anxiety disorders.

Unfortunately, anxiety attacks are triggered by different things in each person. It might be money or a job, or it may be something like in-laws which may not bother another person. It is really up to you to learn what the causes of anxiety attacks are so that you can avoid them. They don't have to be big events; learn to look out for small events that leave you unsettled or unhappy because those have the potential to cause you anxiety attacks as well.

Some science suggests that continued anxiety will cause a chemical imbalance in the brain and this causes a certain type of anxiety disorder. This theory however does not have very solid proof backing it. Other research says that it is genetic or learnt behavior. Clearly, there is no consensus as to what causes anxiety attacks.

If you are feeling continuously stressed, to the point that its affecting your every day life, this may lead to an anxiety attack. Stress can come from your job, your family, your relatives or even your friends. The loss of a job means for many people that their income is gone, and that can lead to lots of stress. The loss of someone who was very close to you will also leave you feeling stressed, and if these feelings don't ease after sometime, you need to start taking precautions. Your marriage or relationship can also lead to a build up of stress.

Medications that cause anxiety can be dangerous because it may take a long time to find out. If you are prone to anxiety, always discuss any medication you have been prescribed with your doctor.

Anxiety can also be triggered by smaller events, and with time it can get just as bad as that caused by a major event. The causes in this case will be much harder to pinpoint, but you need not worry because all forms of anxiety attacks are treatable.

When you are having an anxiety attack, you will experience the following physical symptoms:

• Palpitations


• Increased sweating


• Shortness of breath and pain in the chest


• A feeling like choking


• You experience a momentary fear of death.

Looking closely at what may have changed on your life recently will help you trace the cause of your anxiety attacks. Acknowledge the stress so that you can deal with it. Denial often means that you get more and more stressed. If you can find no traceable cause, you may have had a random panic attack - they do happen.

All these are the same as you would experience if you were having a panic attack. Your first experience may be the first indication that something is amiss, but do not waste precious time; see a doctor right away because anxiety attacks are diagnosable and fully treatable today.