Causes of Anxiety – Biological Causes
Lots of research into possible biological causes of panic attacks and panic disorder has revealed some interesting clues. However, no single cause has been identified, and the ones which have been of interest could be the result of anxiety, not the cause of it. For example, people with panic disorder tend to be more sensitive to pain, become more easily tired after exertion, and blood levels of lactic acid (which is a by-product from having exercised) rise to higher levels than normal.
Although all of these could happen of their own accord, as it were, they could also be the result of stress and anxiety. Lactic acid, for example, is produced by muscles when a person is feeling stressed, as well as through exercising. So it all seems rather confusing in a chicken-and-egg sore of way.
Some researchers suggest that because panic attacks respond to medication, the underlying cause must be biological. Isn’t this like saying chat because cocaine can make you feel good, feeling good must always be caused by something biological? Bur let’s have a look anyway at what some of their findings have been.
Heredity
Panic disorder tends to run in families. I was surprised to find out only relatively recently that one of my sisters experienced panic attacks a few years ago when she was undergoing a difficult time in her life. I also remember my other sister having what she can only describe as a ‘funny turn’ one evening at the cinema many years ago.
Because of this family link, researchers are now looking into whether it is a genetically transmitted weakness. Recent studies have identified that there may be such a link, but they agree that their findings are only suggestive and by no means conclusive.
Until there is more indisputable evidence, it is just as feasible that the prevalence of panic attacks within families is due to upbringing and learned behavior. And even if it; does prove to be generic, Elmer and Alyce Green, in their book “Beyond Biofeedback” rightly say that although we may be genetically programmed at birth, it is how we choose to adapt and modify that programming which is important.
