Why do we get anxiety attacks?

Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, and unease. It is normal to feel anxious in certain situations like starting a new job or going on a first date, but when anxiety becomes excessive and uncontrollable- it can result in anxiety attacks.

Anxiety attacks are intense episodes of fear that come on suddenly and without warning. They can be debilitating for those experiencing them, preventing people from doing things they previously enjoyed. But why do we get anxiety attacks? Let’s find out!

The Science Behind Anxiety

To understand why we get anxiety attacks, we need to take a closer look at the science behind it. Anxiety comes from our brain’s natural response system called “fight or flight.” When faced with danger or stressors (like deadlines), our body releases adrenaline, which activates the sympathetic nervous system.

This activation causes many physical changes such as rapid heartbeat (palpitations), sweating profusely (hyperhidrosis), increased breathing rate, and tightness in muscles (myalgia). All these responses are your body preparing you to either fight back against perceived harm or run away ASAP.

While this fight-or-flight response may have been helpful during human evolution- Fearing that rustle was more likely an animal than someone mailing their poster has become inappropriate for modern human threats brought about by lifestyle problems like traffic jams and missed appointments making unnecessary triggers become significant sources of stress causing panic attack-like symptoms.

What Causes Anxiety Disorders

Several factors contribute to developing an anxiety disorder:

Genetics

Studies have suggested that inheriting certain genes makes some people more susceptible to developing conditions like Generalized Anxiety Disorder(GAD) compared other folks due to genetic variations linking up with inherited tendencies towards responding negatively in stressful circumstances .

Environmental Factors

Negative experiences such as trauma or neglect happening early life could predispose high levels of stimulation leading person to respond to new stressors with greater intensity than another individual whose formative years lacked such experiences.

Brain Chemistry

A chemical imbalance in the brain can cause anxiety disorders. Notably, a disparity in levels of serotonin – repeatedly referred to as “happy hormone” feeling and function– is shown often concerning anxiety disorder cases

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are several types of anxiety disorders, each with specific characteristics that set them apart from one another:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Persistent and excessive worry regarding daily activities, beyond the point where it becomes realistic or helpful.

Panic Disorder

Panic Attacks sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms normally come without warning signs when outside causes aren’t present gravitating individuals around having panic attacks even at minor changes.

Phobia

Irrational aversions towards particular objects, events or situations; The irrational nature resulting due to no feasible explanation for fears exhibited like an unexplained dread for chins (geniophobia).  

These are only few among many others forms this psychological problem takes but they capture majorly person’s inability to carry out normal day-to-day activity comfortably leaving negative impact including social isolation subsequent antagonistic effects on overall health such as insomnia leading fatigue during productive hours afterward.

Anxiety has associated multiple severe symptoms which could appear just after an intensely stressful moment or gradually grow over time;

• Heart palpitations,
• Sweating,
• Trembling and shaking,
• Difficulty breathing until hyperventilating develops giving way fainting spells;
• A difficulty concentrating tendency towards tangential thoughts followed by bouts of irrationality bordering obsession while trying reasoning out reasonable concerns ends in spirals characterized overarching sense doom looms ahead most times causing dread eventually . These require medications from mental hospitals more so supervision bearing its variable intensity caused depending broadly environmental factors former life trauma genetic predispositions brain chemistry alongside socialization

Common Triggers of Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety attacks do not happen out of nowhere. Here are a few common triggers that cause anxiety attacks:

Stressful Life Events

Stressors considered major ones including but not limited to divorce, loss loved one due death even financial crisis capable pulling triggering strings often bringing about sudden onset.

Medical Conditions

Serious medical conditions such as thyroid deficiencies or heart disease have been shown frequently associated with panic disorders & difficult coping circumstances when left untreated leading adverse outcomes ultimately.

Substance Abuse

Substances-comprising recreational-misuse regularly linked causing panic developing aforementioned decision-making malfunctional, affecting the way we behave in social settings related instances leading incrementally self-destructive behavior amidst alcoholics or drug abusers suffering from underlying emotional instability.

These factors might provoke occasional bouts leading short outbreaks potentially fanning persistent psychological distress alongside them; suggesting early diagnosis and treatment an absolute necessity for individuals who struggle managing emotions resulting irrational reactions unsuitable environments.

While anxiety is a normal emotion, excessive worry can damage several aspects concerning life- dreams possibility achieving success personal relationships all subsumed under dread created by unclear fears – the chronic feeling of unease significantly impairs effective functioning necessitating ways cope instance mentioned below;

• Deep Breathing: Controlled breathing exercises help control physical symptoms while also clearing and focusing minds’ angst.
• Self-Care: Prioritizing leisurely activities like exercise consumption healthy food items accompanied sufficient rest maintaining positive outlook towards situations surrounding positively influence hormone regulation promote improving mood-states.
• Positive Affirmation:
  Reminding oneself over time how strong they are regarding tackling situations knowing becoming anxious only offering temporary distractions highlighting where efforts ought channelled equally important
  Lists could enumerate longer but most importantly relies on willingness engage simplest strategies affect negative stress-management whatever form it may take more permissible than ignoring acknowledging its presence entirely constantly minimizing devastating effects it poses.

For people with anxiety disorders, sometimes these strategies mentioned along with lifestyle changes insufficient solutions necessitating more targeted attention necessary mental health care services ranging anxiety-reducing medications because of psychotherapeutic means- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) being the most popular worldwide can significantly work having produced tangible results and pronounced impacts.

Anxiety is a natural response to stressors or dangerous situations in life. However, when pervasive fears take hold becoming hard manage requiring immediate measures set place for avoiding advances concentration intrusive thoughts leading declining self-worth furthermore ultimately ending sabotaging efforts towards accomplishing dreams. Identifying symptoms of underlying causes together various coping mechanisms outlined alongside professional seeking help represent but the beginning list triggers overcome this dark patch allowing person free healthy living devoid unnecessary worry but driven confidence—A deviation from these ropes could potentially trigger notorious panic attacks leaving lasting negative effects unquantifiable in totality neither desirable nor beneficial all-around progress reducing effectiveness one’s overall well-being.Healthy persons less anxious leads to a better ,more peaceful world let’s embrace every chance we get comforting uplifting those undergoing distress emanating out tightly wound cortisol-rich nerves manifested abruptly.

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