Causes, risk factors and prevention of Panic disorder

Panic disorder causes, risk factors and prevention

Causes

Panic disorder can be caused by many things. Research has not yet had any evidence for the exact reason of the occurrence of panic attacks and panic disorder. But some are supposed to play a significant role though. They are
• Stress
• Genetics
• Changes in the manner how the brain pathways function.

Further some research recommends that the body’s natural fight-or-flight response to danger is connected to panic attacks. In case of a real danger, it is normal for everyone to react instinctively. The heart and breathing rates may increase as the person prepares his body for the situation. All these symptoms occur similarly in the panic attacks. But panic attacks are caused when there is no real reason to fear about.

Risk factors

It is really tough to identify and recognize the number of people affected by panic disorder or panic attacks, especially owing to the diagnostic issues. Surveys project a population of around two to six million Americans possessing panic disorder. The symptoms of the disease can start frequently in the late adolescence stage or at the age of 30s. But agoraphobia may occur irrespective of age. Women are twice more likely to develop the disease compared to men. Many people get panic attacks just once or twice in their entire lifetime. The problem goes off later. This is probably at the end of the stressful situations.

The factors which influence the chances of developing the panic attacks are
• Family history recorded for panic disorder or panic attacks.
• Death of the loved one
• Serious illness of someone close
• Significant stress
• Major changes in life like the birth of a baby
• Undergone a stressful life event like accident or rape
• History of childhood sexual or physical abuse

Complications

Panic disorder is not an easy thing. It may lead to serious consequences like social phobia or agoraphobia if not treated at the proper time. These consequences may have a major impact on the future of the individual. Agoraphobia is the fear that the person gets owing to their constant worry about the future occurrences of the attack. Social phobia occurs because the people try to avoid all situations which they feel stressed like avoiding meetings, and places like movie theatre, buses, etc. The complications that are likely to occur in association with panic disorder are
• Specific phobias like fear of driving, even leaving home
• Depression
• Avoiding social situations
• Financial problems
• Increased suicidal thoughts and risk of suicide
• Substance abuse
• Issues at school or work

Prevention

There is no certain way or method to prevent the attacks or the disorder. However, proper diagnosis and early treatment helps to stop from worsening or occurring more frequent. Strictly following the treatment plan enables to prevent relapses. Relaxation, stress management techniques, meditation, etc may prove fruitful.