Magentic Resonance Imaging of the Brain. Digital image. Nytimes. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/08/01/health/adam/19238.jpg>.
Biological Factors
1) Fight or Flight response:
Panic disorder is associated with the fight or flight response which occurs naturally in your body. It is a way of protecting you form stressful and dangerous situations. Your body releases hormones like adrenalin when you are anxious or have fear. This increases your breathing and heart rate. This is how our bodies prepare us for dangerous and stressful situations. People who suffer from panic disorder is said that the fight or flight response may be triggered abnormally which causes a panic attack.
2) Neurotransmitters:
There may also be an imbalance in the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain that may affect our mood and behavior. This can cause responses of stress in some situations, which cause feelings of panic.
There is an imbalance in the neurotransmitters in the brain that may contribute to anxiety disorders. These neurotransmitters include gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine. Serotonin is mostly important in feelings and deficiencies of anxiety and depression as there is a problem in regulating serotonin levels (Villafuerte and Burmeister, 2003). Stress hormones such as cortisol also play a role.
“Panic Disorder with Agoraphoiba.” http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/panic-disorder-with-agoraphobia/causes.html.web. 22 April 2013.
3) Fear of Network:
This theory says that the brain of people who suffer from panic disorders may be wired differently from other people. Their may be a malfunction in some parts of the brain which bring emotion of fear and the physical effect that fear can bring. They may bring strong emotions that may cause a panic attack.
4) Spatial Awareness:
This is to be able to judge where you are in a relation to people or objects. Some of the people who suffer from panic disorders have weak system of balance and space that results with someone who has panic disorders feeling overwhelmed and not oriented in places that are crowded, which can cause a panic attack.
“Agoraphobia.” http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Agoraphobia/Pages/Introduction.aspx. web. 17 April 2013.