hypothetical explanation of panic disorder - Panic Disorders Message Board

plainsong · 09-12-2003, 10:59 PM

Hi all.
You might be interested to read this. I'd like to know if anyone knows if this hypothesis has been proven or not. I dont think posting this link goes against the guidlines cause they're not selling anything. Hope I'm right about that!
[url="http://www.anthropogeny.com/A%20Hypothetical%20Explanation%20of%20Pa nic%20Disorder.htm"]http://www.anthropogeny.com/A%20Hypothetical%20Explanation%20of%20Pa nic%20Disorder.htm[/url]

Also If this is true I wonder if getting your period somehow has a role in depleting dhea or increasing cck?
In another study I read that cck had something to do with gastrointestinal disturbance and panic attacks.
I'll see if I can find the link.

Lizzie101 · 09-13-2003, 03:52 AM

That was a VERY interesting link! It's 5 am, and I'm too tired to read it now, my brain is still sleeping, but did it say anywhere if taking DHEA supplements would help? I know you can buy them anywhere they sell vitamins, and I was wondering if that might help.

Liz

plainsong · 09-13-2003, 05:25 AM

Hi Lizzie
I'm not sure it would help as the other hormones are also involved. But maybe your doctor would know.

fm5 · 09-13-2003, 09:23 AM

When I first started having panic attacks I thought it was health related for many months. And, I am sure there probably are a few "health related" reasons for panic attacks, such as people who have mitral valve prolapse or hypoglycemia. (I would imagine that the few "health related" panic attackers probably only constitute maybe 5-10% of the reason for panic disorder in some people.)

Panic disorder I believe is caused mainly by the following course of events:

1. The person goes through a major "life changing" situation in their lives - this could be anything from someone moving out of their parent's house and going off to college, a death of a spouse, a pregnancy, a major surgery, loss of a job, etc.

2. The person then has physical symptoms . caused by this anxiety. They could be dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness, etc.

They then begin to think that (1) they are going to pass out (2) they are going to die, or (3) they are going to have a heart attack or some other physical ailment. The person then panics from these symptoms - which throws more stress ontop of already high stress.

(So, essentially, it is a vicious cycle. You have symptoms because you panic and then you panic because you have the symptoms.)

How do you get out of the cycle. Read my thread on distracting techniques (I think it is on page 3).

The sooner that you begin to realize that panic is not caused by a physical illness, the faster you will get better.

[This message has been edited by fm5 (edited 09-13-2003).]

plainsong · 09-13-2003, 10:46 PM

Hi fm5.
You are right. I had to learn all that stuff when I first began.
I know where you're coming from but not everyone who no longer panics about panic gets better.
Read my thread 'newbie- period related panic'. There is definately something else going on with me and possibly others- which is why I posted what I did.