nakur

So far I have found the following possible causes:

1.) Low DHEA/Cortisol ratio
http://www.anthropogeny.com/A%20Hypo...20Disorder.htm

2.) Chronic hyperventilation
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...?artid=1444088

3.) Alcoholism (current or in the past)
http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/healt...acer030915.htm

4.) Hypothyroidism
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hyperthy...panicpalps.htm

5.) Low serotonin levels (most common explanation)
However it's almost impossible to find an article that proves this!

6.) Overstimulation of the noradrenergic system
Can't find a good article about this... but Beta-blockers are used to cope with that. Anyone has more info?

7.) Hypoglycemia
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/artic...g_anxiety.html

Did you find more possible causes? What do you think about the theories above? Any comments would we welcome!

Introvrtd1

Good info.

I pretty much have all under control sometimes, or at least the ability to cope with p/a once it occurs.

My only battle is the simplest preventive cause................................

Alcoholism.

nakur

Hi Intro,

There is a guy that claims that sugar imbalances are also the cause of alcoholism, I have no idea if it's true but it's worth reading.

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/artic...ics_drink.html
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/artic...treatable.html

Barto

Well, you guys probably already know I have a ton of credible info that shows caffeine alone can cause anxiety and panic attacks.

nakur

Tell me about it, I used to drink 5-7 cups of coffee a day, wondering why anxiety would get worse...

Lilya

Very interesting information, Nakur. Good input from previous shares. However, I like my coffee, way too much, and drink it from large bowls every morning. It´s probably my substitute for what I had to give up to get healthy. (I know I contradict myself here)

Each time I come for a physical check-up, the doctor wants to check my thyroid because I am rather thin with large eyes. So far, nothing has turned up.

My problem was and has been Spastic Colon, caused by anxiety attacks. My body finally couldn´t handle the anxiety so I had that chronically for a long time, until I started treatment and changed my diet.

Then one day I was on a holiday on a beautiful island off the coast of Africa for a month. I decided to stop thinking about physical symptoms of the spastic colon and the anxiety, eat all the food I was forbidden to eat, drink coffee and throw away the medication. Just to be like a "normal" human being again for one month. Strangely the symptoms stopped and after that I have only the occasional attacks, but they are under control.

I wonder if anyone here has these symptoms? I know they are fairly common in people with anxiety disorder.

Maybe the trick is to let go, like I did in Africa, if only for a month. It was mind-blowing, because body and soul were in harmony. If only there is a way to have that sense of well-being most of the time. My therapist says it´s possible, so I´m hopeful.

Love and light,

Introvrtd1

I believe you were practicing cbt. It really is effective.

Once you get the hang of it, you feel there is nothing you cant do.

Intro

Lilya

Hello again,

What is cbt?

Love and light,

Lilya

I know what CBT stands for, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. English is my second or third language.

I wonder though how I could have used in on myself in Africa. Could you explain it to me, Intro? Was I practicing "faire comme si"? (I wonder how is it translated, maybe acting as if?)

This is very important for me. I have been thinking lately about study it together with my therapy and groupwork.

Love and light,

Introvrtd1

Hello again Lilya,

CBT helps us by doing things, or going to places which trigger our panic/anxiety. We tend to avoid that which makes us become panicky, but then if we face our fears, the panic/anxiety will soon no longer bother us.

I hope this clears it up somewhat. I talk more about this in my "If you're panicky now" thread.

Intro