Let’s talk Panic Attacks! One in four people will experience a mental health condition during their lifetime. Chances are you’ve landed here because you’ve Googled something like:
- “causes for panic attacks”
- “how to stop panic attacks and anxiety!!??”
- “what are the causes of panic attacks”
Well, let me tell you… I’ve been there! Frantically searching for answers, trying to figure out why I was experiencing debilitating anxiety, and yes… even gut-wrenching, heart-stopping, panic attacks. It seemed like I was always just one crisis away from it all falling apart. Even though I’d tried everything to get my health, my energy, and my happiness back, I was still waking in the middle of the night or leaping from my sleep each morning with a feeling of dread, wondering, “Will any of this change?”
I knew something had to! I didn’t know what. But I needed to do something different.
An Important Mindset Shift
The first thing I want to address before jumping into some of the possible causes for panic attacks is a mindset shift.
It’s easy to get angry and frustrated with yourself, but having compassion & curiosity about the situation is going to make a world of difference in your healing journey. While it can be easy to think your body is turning against you, I ask you to consider the possibility that it’s actually working FOR you. That the anxiety & panic attacks are simply a messenger (a cry for help!) that something deeper needs your attention.
With that said, I want to talk to you about three potential causes for panic attacks so you can understand what you need to do to feel better!
Causes of Panic Attacks #1 | Putting Yourself Last
- Take an evaluation of your life
- How can you better prioritize your own health?
- Can you cut out anything from your life that is causing stress?
Once you’ve evaluated where (and sometimes who) you can reduce stress in your life, it’s time to take a look at some more physical factors, like your gut!
Causes of Panic Attacks #2: Poor Gut Health
Millions of tiny organisms, affected by what you eat and how you live, live in your gut and communicate with your brain. As part of the “The Microsetta Initiative (TMI)” over 10,000 people from around the world sent in samples of their own poop (yep) so that scientists could better understand how organisms with the body (the microbiome) interact with diet, lifestyle & disease. Your DNA is in fact more NON-HUMAN than human. If that gut brain connection is compromised, then you’re going to experience anxiety and panic. It’s why it’s so vital for you to pay attention to the foods you’re eating.
Causes of Panic Attacks #3: Exposure to Toxins
It might seem strange to think that toxins can make you feel anxious or impact your mental health. But let’s remember that ancient civilisations were brought down by lead poisoning. Heavy metals like mercury, aluminum, arsenic can impact not only gut health, but mental health. Your environment plays a big part in the way that you feel. Not just the emotional environment, but the chemicals you’re exposed to on a daily basis. What you’re breathing, bathing in, the bluetooth headphones, and even the perfumes and personal care products you’re using contain chemicals that disrupt your hormones and nervous system.
It’s why using more than one test with a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner can really help you get clear on WHY you’re experiencing Panic Attacks.
Still unclear on the causes of your panic attacks?
I offer 1:1 strategy sessions where we can peel back the layers and get clear on what’s really going on. I’ve suffered from anxiety myself, and have a long-standing family history of this crippling condition, but I’d love to show you there is hope, and support you through the other side…
References
- UCSD, The Microsetta Initiative (TMI) | https://microsetta.ucsd.edu/
