When a doctor is trying to determine the causes of a patient's anxiety attacks, he will assess environmental issues, traits in the person's personality, the patient's brain chemistry, any past traumas and the family medical history. Firstly, the environmental issues may include poverty, childhood/parental separation, overly strict parents, overly critical parents, excessive family conflicts, fearful parents, anxious parents and a lacking support system. Secondly, personality traits can include a feeling of lack of power, seeing the world as threatening, general low self-esteem/confidence and the inability to cope with everyday things. Thirdly, brain chemistry can include neurotransmitter imbalances (serotonin, epinephrine, GABA, etc.) and abnormal levels of cortisol (stress type hormone). Fourthly, family medical history can show a pattern of abuse (substance) and disorders (mood, anxiety, etc.) throughout generations, which shows some genetical disposition towards the anxiety attacks. Fifthly, past traumas can have a marked affect, including childhood events (the most damaging), abuse, natural disasters, crime, and war.

Once the cause has been determined for the anxiety attacks, the doctor will attempt to make a diagnosis. However, if the fifth most common causes are not triggering the anxiety attacks then the doctor will look at these other possibilities:

? Hypoglycemia ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Thyroid disorders ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Sleep disorders ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Adrenal disorders ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Diabetes ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Asthma ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Migraines ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Epilepsy ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Certain heart conditions ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Other psychiatric illnesses ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Caffeine/other stimulants ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Drugs ? heroin/cocaine/amphetamines ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Over-the-counter drugs such as anti-inflammatories, cold/cough/decongestants - ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Steroids (cortisone, prednisone, etc.) ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Weight loss drugs ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Birth control medicines ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Thyroid medications ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Inhalers/respiratory medications ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Herbal products ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? High /low blood pressure medications ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Alcohol withdrawal ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Ritalin ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Adderall ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Dexedrine ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Benzodiazepines withdrawal ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Ulcers ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Hypertension ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Asthma ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Chronic lung diseases ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Apnea/sleep apnea ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? IBS ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Chronic headaches ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Prolapsed of the mitral valve ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

? Chronic fatigue syndrome ? can trigger anxiety attacks under certain medical conditions

As with any condition, anxiety attacks have causes and triggers. You may only have suffered from one cause or as with many people, had the burden of many. However, the only way to resolve anxiety attacks is to seek medical help and get treated. Anxiety attacks are not a mental health issue, but could become so if you leave it to fester. Talk to the one person you can trust and do not be ashamed as you are definitely not alone.