Experiencing a kind of fear or anxiety over something and having palpitations, profuse sweating, chills and the like which are common attack panic symptoms does not necessarily mean that you are already having a panic attack.
The frequency, unexpectedness and severity of the anxiety and the symptoms coupled with unjustified and uncontrollable fear is what defines a panic attack.
Studies have been made to determine the underlying cause for a panic disorder but nothing definite has been seen as to the source or rationale behind it although several factors of biological and environmental nature have been found that contribute to the existence of the disorder.
Genetics is said to be a factor that can be attributed to an anxiety attack.
Experts believe that as much as there are certain illnesses that can be genetically passed down to one's offspring, there is also a big possibility that panic disorder can also be inherited from one's parents or ancestors.
There is a tendency to suffer from anxiety and attack panic symptoms if there are other members of the family that do experience panic attacks.
It is important to know the symptoms and other pertinent facts about the disorder so you would not be caught unaware and think that you are getting crazy because of the unreasonable thoughts and feelings your are experiencing.
Knowing your family's medical history can also provide a better way for you to deal with your own health issues.
The panic symptoms, experts believed, can be attributed to an anomaly or irregularity in the brain.
These changes in certain areas of the brain can affect the brain's performance thus providing for the unexpected and unreasonable reactions of individuals.
Because of the aberration in the brain, a situation even if it is harmless can be conceived to be dangerous just for the reason that the current situation has some similarity to a past fearful experience and the individual suddenly becomes anxious and terrified at the same time displays all the other panic symptoms.
Symptoms like the palpitations or pupils dilating can be rationally explained if there is actual danger involve.
The body prepares itself in a way that the pupils dilate to improve one's eyesight, the increased heart rate raises the blood flow to the vital organs and the quickening of one's breathing increases the supply of oxygen in the blood circulation.
The muscles in the arms and legs become tense and ready for quick action to the danger that is being faced.
In panic attacks, the individual relive the whole experience including the intense fear and other symptoms without any reason behind it.
A past traumatic experience like death in the family or separation can create a major impact on an individual that may result to experiencing symptoms.
The same is the case with individuals being involved in a major accident or even being a witness to a terrifying event.
Studies show that stress can undermine one's resistance and provides for the anxiety and other symptoms to start.
Being involved with drugs and any other sort of substance abuse can also play a role in panic disorder.
Getting through the addiction may induce or trigger an attack because of the fear that comes while on withdrawal especially as similar to symptoms are being experienced.
The same is true with the fear that materializes if one experiences some physical reaction that is similar to an panic symptom like increased heart rate due to medication.
The individual associates this to a panic attack and fears that another attack is to happen.
Whatever the factors or causes involved in panic attacks are it is best to seek treatment for these as the attack panic symptoms can really disrupt one's life and there are several forms of therapy and other panic cures available for sufferers to get a hold of.