What Causes a Panic Attack?

Panic attacks are sudden and brief episodes of anxiety that are usually very distressing for a person. If they happen occasionally, they might not have a strong impact on one´s life, but if they happen frequently, they can significantly lower the quality of life. Panic attacks can be a problem on their own or part of a disorder and, as such, a way the disorder manifests. 

Panic attacks can happen for a variety of reasons. Understanding the triggers and causes of panic attacks can potentially prevent them and certainly help treat them in an efficient way. This is why we will, with this text, answer the question of what causes a panic attack and lay out some suggestions on how to address and manage them.

What is a Panic Attack?

The American Psychological Association defines a panic attack as a sudden and intense fear in the absence of any real danger. They manifest not only with fear but also with many physical symptoms like heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, nausea, abdominal cramps, chest pain or discomfort, choking or smothering sensations, sweating, and dizziness. A person might feel like they are going crazy, losing control, or dying. 

Panic attacks are often confused with anxiety attacks because they share similar symptoms. Anxiety attacks may cause a racing heart, shortness of breath, or a knot in the stomach, but these sensations are usually milder and build gradually. Panic attacks, on the other hand, are intense and sudden, often without a clear trigger. This abrupt onset can be overwhelming, leaving many people wondering what causes a panic attack. Factors such as genetics, brain chemistry, high stress, or past trauma may all play a role, making understanding these causes important for effective management and treatment.

The exact triggers for panic attacks can differ significantly from one person to another, making them sometimes unpredictable and frightening. Understanding what causes a panic attack can be extremely helpful in managing these episodes. These causes may include genetics, which can predispose certain individuals to heightened anxiety; brain chemistry, where imbalances in neurotransmitters affect the body’s stress response; high levels of chronic stress, which can overwhelm coping mechanisms; and traumatic experiences, which may leave lasting psychological effects.

Additionally, lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, substance use, or major life changes can increase vulnerability. By recognizing these influences, individuals can better identify early warning signs, implement coping strategies, and seek appropriate medical or therapeutic interventions to reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks.

What Causes a Panic Attack?

There is no single and unique answer to what causes a panic attack, as its development is often the result of multiple interacting factors. Researchers and clinicians have identified a variety of influences that can contribute to the occurrence of a panic attack. These can broadly be categorized into biological and psychological factors.

Biological factors may include genetics, brain chemistry, and abnormalities in the body’s natural stress response system, which can make certain individuals more susceptible to sudden episodes of intense fear. Psychological factors, on the other hand, involve personality traits, learned behaviors, coping mechanisms, and past experiences, particularly exposure to trauma or chronic stress. By examining both biological and psychological aspects, we gain a clearer understanding of why panic attacks occur and how they might be effectively managed or prevented.

Biological Factors

Certain centers in our brain are responsible for how we process information and what we feel. Understanding what causes a panic attack is complex, but some researchers think that the amygdala—a part of our brain that processes fear—is at the root of this condition. Others speak of a so-called fear network that involves the amygdala, hypothalamus, and brainstem centers, acting as a worry-fear circuit that can trigger panic attacks. Additional theories point to chemical imbalances in the brain, particularly involving neurotransmitters such as serotonin, cortisol, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which may contribute to the sudden onset of intense fear.

Another working theory is that genetics may contribute to the development of panic attacks. This idea gained attention after researchers discovered that psychiatric illnesses often appear in first-degree relatives, suggesting a possible hereditary component. Since panic attacks can occur as part of other mental health disorders, it seems logical that genetics could influence an individual’s susceptibility, potentially making some people more prone to experiencing sudden, intense episodes of fear. While the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood, exploring family history can provide important insights into what causes a panic attack and why certain individuals may be at higher risk.

Genetics is just one factor in the development of panic attacks, and it likely interacts with a range of other influences, including environmental stressors, personal experiences, and brain chemistry, to determine how and when these episodes occur. For instance, someone with a genetic predisposition may be more sensitive to stress, while traumatic experiences or chronic exposure to high-stress situations can trigger panic attacks even in those without a strong hereditary risk.

Brain chemistry, including imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, can further amplify susceptibility. Understanding these complex connections can provide valuable insights into what causes a panic attack, helping individuals and healthcare providers identify personal triggers and underlying factors. This knowledge is essential for creating more personalized prevention and treatment strategies, allowing for targeted therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and, when necessary, medication to manage symptoms effectively and improve overall mental health and well-being.

However, the precise nature of this genetic influence remains unclear, and scientists are still investigating how specific genes or combinations of genes might increase vulnerability. Understanding this connection can shed light on what causes a panic attack, especially in individuals with a family history of anxiety or related psychiatric conditions. While genetics is just one piece of the puzzle, considering hereditary factors alongside environmental influences and personal experiences can provide a more complete picture of why panic attacks occur.

Psychological Factors

When speaking of what is a panic attack caused by, psychological factors need to be mentioned. Some speak of them as causes, others as risk factors, but undoubtedly, they are impactful contributors. Here are some typical psychological factors to keep in mind:

• Traumatic experiences. Surviving a traumatic event, such as sexual assault, a major accident, or childhood abuse, can be linked to experiencing panic attacks. Being in a triggering situation—anything that reminds you of the trauma—can lead to a sudden episode. Understanding what causes a panic attack in these circumstances is important, as it can help identify connections to past trauma and provide insight into managing these episodes. In this context, a panic attack might also be a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), highlighting the need for appropriate support and treatment.
• High levels of stress. Significant stressors, like major life changes (getting a divorce or becoming a parent) or negative life events (death in the family), can also be related to panic attacks. Fear and anxiety are normal reactions to these events, but if they happen suddenly, at high intensity, and are accompanied by physical symptoms, you might be experiencing a panic attack.
• Personality traits. Anxious temperament and anxiety-related personality traits are often mentioned as contributing factors in panic attack development. Those personal characteristics can make a person more sensitive to outside signals, experience more events as triggering (on either a conscious or unconscious level), and therefore lead to exaggerated fear even when there´s no actual danger.

What Causes a Panic Attack Out of Nowhere?

Although it might seem that experiencing a panic attack requires either a biological or psychological predisposition, in reality, panic attacks can occur spontaneously, seemingly out of nowhere, without any obvious warning or trigger. Even individuals with no prior history of anxiety or mental health conditions can experience a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort. This unpredictability can make panic attacks particularly frightening and confusing, as the body reacts with symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or a sense of impending doom.

Understanding what causes a panic attack can help individuals recognize potential contributing factors—ranging from genetics and brain chemistry to high stress levels or past trauma—while also emphasizing that these episodes are not always a reflection of personal weakness or failure. Recognizing that panic attacks can strike unexpectedly highlights the importance of learning coping strategies and seeking professional support to manage them effectively.

Some researchers see panic attacks as “false alarms” where the body´s survival instinct strongly kicks in. It happens when someone shows high sensitivity to signals their body creates. Heart racing due to high caffeine intake or heavy exercising might be interpreted as a heart attack, causing a panic attack that further creates more frightening physical symptoms. A vicious circle is created, making it difficult to distinguish what came first.

What Causes a Panic Attack While Sleeping?

A person can also have a panic attack while sleeping, which is known as a nocturnal panic attack. It´s a sudden feeling of fear that causes people to wake up and can manifest in shortness of breath, heart racing, and heavy sweating. As with panic attacks that happen during the day, it´s difficult to point fingers at what causes a panic attack while sleeping. However, some risk factors are known.

Those struggling with mental health disorders such as anxiety disorder, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are at a higher risk of experiencing nocturnal panic attacks, which occur during sleep and can abruptly awaken a person with intense fear or physical symptoms. Similarly, individuals dealing with substance abuse problems or related disorders may also face panic attacks at night, particularly if their bodies are undergoing withdrawal or chemical imbalances. Other contributing risk factors include difficulty managing anger and hostility, as well as chronic sleep problems such as insomnia or sleep apnea, which can disrupt normal sleep patterns and heighten vulnerability to sudden episodes of panic.

Understanding what causes a panic attack, especially nocturnal ones, can help individuals and healthcare providers identify patterns, triggers, and underlying conditions, making it easier to implement effective prevention strategies and coping mechanisms to improve both mental health and sleep quality.

Treatment for Panic Attacks

Even when panic attacks occur only occasionally, they can be highly uncomfortable, overwhelming, and stressful, making it essential to address them with effective treatment as soon as possible. Understanding what causes a panic attack is often the first step in managing these episodes. Identifying triggers, underlying conditions, or contributing factors can help you choose the best coping strategies.

Many factors can influence the onset of panic attacks, including genetics, brain chemistry, environmental stressors, and past traumatic experiences, making it important to consider all possible contributors when seeking help. By understanding what causes a panic attack, individuals can take a more targeted approach to prevention and management. There are several approaches to dealing with panic attacks, ranging from lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques to therapy and, in some cases, medication, each tailored to the severity and frequency of the episodes.

The best option for each individual often depends on the severity and frequency of the symptoms, as well as the degree to which they interfere with daily life, work, or personal relationships. By understanding the root causes and exploring tailored strategies, it becomes possible to reduce the intensity of attacks, regain a sense of control, and improve overall mental health and well-being.

For some individuals, lifestyle changes and self-help techniques may be sufficient to manage panic attacks, while others may require therapy, medication, or a combination of both to regain control and improve daily functioning. Understanding what causes a panic attack is an important first step in determining the most effective approach, as knowing your personal triggers, stressors, or underlying factors can guide treatment choices. By exploring different methods and tailoring interventions to your specific needs, it becomes possible to reduce the intensity of panic attacks, prevent them from interfering with your routine, and enhance overall mental well-being.

• Psychotherapy. Since panic attacks are connected with how a person interprets a situation, working with a therapist on thinking patterns can help manage, if not eliminate, panic attacks.
  • A cognitive-behavioral approach (CBT) does exactly that. It identifies dysfunctional thinking and feeling patterns and works to replace them with functional ones, resulting in adaptive behavior.
  • Exposure Therapy. Another way to combat panic attacks is gradual exposure to triggers. This technique helps habituate individuals to anxiety-inducing situations through repeated, controlled exposure, reducing fear over time.
  • Support Groups. Peer support can also be beneficial, offering a sense of belonging, understanding, and shared strategies. Hearing others’ experiences can provide perspective, motivation, and reassurance that panic attacks are manageable.
• Medications. Sometimes, when panic attacks are overwhelming, your therapist might also suggest taking medication for panic attacks. Their function is to offer immediate relief, allowing you to focus on working through the emotions and patterns that caused them. Medications are almost never a stand-alone treatment but rather a complementary one happening alongside the therapy. 
• Lifestyle changes.Lifestyle Changes: Mindful meditation, breathing exercises, and regular physical activity are powerful tools for maintaining calm, improving overall health, and balancing brain chemistry, all of which can reduce the likelihood of panic attacks.

Conquer Emotional Pain. Find Peace, Purpose & Happiness.

Experiencing depression, anxiety, or grappling with mental health challenges? Get compassionate and effective dual diagnosis therapy from our caring counselors in a safe and comfortable environment. Take the first step towards your recovery today.

Hotline (888) 680-7311

Seeking Professional Help

No matter what causes a panic attack, once you start experiencing it more frequently and it starts negatively impacting your life, you ought to address it. Even when you can identify on your own what is a panic attack caused by, learning how to manage them rather than letting them impair your life requires professional help. We Level Up Palm Beach FL, and its team of experts can aid you in this learning process.

We rely on evidence-based methods that successfully treat problems like high functioning anxiety, which often includes panic attacks. We can help you understand your anxiety and why panic attacks take place, and then work with you on addressing the underlying issues causing these problems. Our anxiety disorder treatment in Palm Beach Florida implements a variety of methods to not only resolve your current issues but also empower you to deal with any new challenges life might throw your way.

Reach Out to We Level Up Palm Beach

Don´t let panic attacks dictate how you behave and act. Learn to deal with triggers, manage your symptoms, and live a more satisfying life. Call us and get a free consultation. All our calls are confidential and there is never any obligation.