What causes a anxiety attack?

If you’re someone who experiences the occasional panic attack, then you know just how much of a humorless situation it can be. But what if we could add a little levity to the mix? Here’s an article about anxiety attacks that might make you laugh at the subject… or at least roll your eyes.

Let’s Get Clinical

Anxiety disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect over 40 million adults in America alone, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. And whether it’s generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any other type of anxiety-related malady, they all have one thing in common – panic attacks.

A Quick Refresher on Panic Attacks

Before we dive into causes (cue drumroll), let’s revisit what exactly happens during a typical panic attack:

  • A sudden onset of intense fear, terror or apprehension;
    For no apparent reason at all!
  • Sweating profusely, heart palpitations or racing heartbeat,like when you see your ex after several months.
  • Shortness of breath or hyperventilation; just like after running up the flight stairs cause there was no elevator available
  • A feeling of abdominal distress such as nausea,, cramping,and diarrhea.

Getting In Your Head

Now for some heady stuff—the brain…brace yourself folks!!

The brain is responsible for regulating our emotions and thoughts –and by extension– everything else going on with us humans. When our brains sense danger -or merely imagine said danger-our adrenaline kicks-in trying to keep us outta harm’s way.Then monkey mind takes over…

But unlike real life where perceived threats are somewhat easily identifiable—who doesn’t know that they’re scared of spiders, heights, or flying?!—our subconscious detects even the slightest (often imaginary) threat and taps into what psychologists call “catastrophizing”, “‘I’m going to die!'”…yep, welcome back my old friend panic!

The Trigger Happy Mind

The trigger-points for panic attacks are different from person-to-person. Some people might get them triggered by looming deadlines at work while others may be triggered by public speaking engagements—they all experience a similar fight-or-flight response in each case. While stress can dial-up the occurrence,the real cause of anxiety disorder is often biological wiring to our instincts -and not necessarily specific events- according to scientists.

So whenever you witness one of your colleagues sweating it out on stage during a major presentation don’t look away ( but pretend if you must)—you never know when laughter-inducing scenarios such as these could potentially take down any one’s mental health!.

Risk Factors: Who’s More Susceptible?

Of course,talking about triggering factors isn’t complete without mentioning risk factors.First (cue suspenseful movie trailer music)… let’s talk about some causes:

  • Genetics seem to play an important role in determining someone’s vulnerability,
    so blame mom and dad because their good looks weren’t enough
  • Co-existing mental disorders like depression can act as triggers.
    Because who doesn’t love feeling sad AND anxious?
  • Often trauma-not just drama: experienced as a child,in adolescence or adulthood can up the susceptibility odds greatly
    And here we were thinking childhood traumas would only give us angst-fueled teenage poetry inspiration

Not All Bad News Though…

If this existential musing piece has left you terrified,great job! Just kidding!! 😝 There’s hope for those who experience frequent panic attacks. Thankfully there are several avenues available for treating anxiety-based issues after proper diagnosis including cognitive behavioral and exposure therapies and medication.

And if none of that works, there’s always the tried-and-true strategy of just being a productive member of society with work life balance-inducing hobbies thrown in—yoga, anyone?

Trust us,you’ll be okay– sometimes your brain is just trying to play tricks on you like when you incorrectly remember embarrassing moments from your early teenage years.

So keep laughing folks! Just maybe not at another person’s panicked state—we are good citizens here.

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