8 Common Triggers of Panic Attacks

16 Aug, 2025 Credit: Pexels

Stressful Life Events

[{"selector":"#anim-8b727a29-4554-4c94-9c45-10baed92202c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aea1e2c0-bede-43c8-abc9-64748877e37f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 310.62078%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a351e4b2-20a9-4e05-bb7b-6042157ee654","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3f04e9a3-6b02-411e-a5a1-4765dcda567e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 663.88799%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0eb8e9db-d7c1-4c1b-9982-0b2bdc4c319d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-84c57f51-5859-4947-823e-d7973de371d7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 855.55582%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-129e0407-9801-4c9f-b6b5-fe52c5cf42da","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b9153218-4a4b-419b-9a95-a0e98b6c27ae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d3af19d-b84b-4a57-9acf-cca041280251 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-4.2404553049392%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Major changes like moving, job loss, or relationship issues can spark panic attacks. Credit: Pexels

Medical Conditions

[{"selector":"#anim-6ea15853-2963-4d05-b0b6-dae1a69e1284 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c3834872-82f4-4e6e-a829-4a1541b6b8e2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-59a2572a-e182-4e16-8756-5848f544b6ed","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 232.11230%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a77e8c7-5281-41db-b0a9-d1dca565705d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-74ae0876-7caf-43dd-a9d2-1d000e6b26ba","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 513.88837%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-796c8719-f33a-413c-80ad-5fa76c4460c4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a87b5429-d853-4477-944a-77588945ea3b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 855.55582%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-064b033f-44db-4db3-bd26-2c848ab333d1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-44e41aa1-cb17-4d14-9365-a89fff13edce","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Conditions like thyroid problems, heart issues, or respiratory disorders may trigger panic symptoms. Credit: Pexels

Caffeine and Stimulants

[{"selector":"#anim-9b36cc3a-5d0c-4c36-8298-1378b6318733 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0.5740118481324537%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1dd0a745-096e-43dc-b882-d09f56227f0d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a664398-7643-4fcd-b087-0c5662254a60","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 310.62078%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1e4a5a43-88c9-4177-b63e-10e748d1efbe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-668a763a-4aff-477c-b295-bb5aa1f30712","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 682.63808%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6db69b21-a12e-41b1-b48b-853fe67abce2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1a5ddb80-d16d-4123-996e-5164f3dab1a2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 855.55582%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1097bf7c-e809-4839-b6ae-a627b9e53b31","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-faf14cb4-0077-4dfa-a899-da91bcb30f03","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Excess coffee, energy drinks, or certain medications can increase anxiety and provoke attacks. Credit: Pexels

Alcohol or Drug Use

[{"selector":"#anim-d0fab16a-f87b-44a1-bac2-9cbc1ec96568 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(3.5093998179795776%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c4f00294-0aec-4b82-8819-4c5030d431fe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-344cffad-4618-4154-9658-fe06a43fad4e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 459.17844%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6c8b7d7e-aad5-4665-8249-55e2ff517267","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f239e51f-0e99-482e-aeb7-367871f5a7d3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 782.63808%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-70b53479-56ab-495a-9749-1d2e47361491","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7cfb0214-89b9-40c0-9112-ae3f9b6bf2a7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 855.55582%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6e106630-aa97-40a0-9c62-e4d4279a03c8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8638fc5a-bcb0-4376-953e-bfd6e425a03a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Withdrawal or intoxication can contribute to panic episodes. Credit: Pexels

Phobias or Fear Triggers

[{"selector":"#anim-9cec95d5-efa0-4644-bc2f-65962e6e0b48 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.293613026823298%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3b6456f7-de84-4b44-b35d-0cd54333dbf2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4e7799fe-23ad-45ab-b0d9-ccd54385f678","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 310.62078%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2357a082-9143-4bb5-8bf4-112c89e8e172","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c377ce76-5b2d-4c06-b6d9-1992e1975718","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 751.38779%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b0a70781-8f9a-4d96-8d62-4b9333d9108b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-08448367-296b-4db0-a4ec-a50e9d1ae228","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 855.55582%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2045fc95-125e-4277-9e83-abd789484ae7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d55acc5a-d4bd-42f8-86eb-af29ff514930","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Facing feared situations, like heights, crowded places, or flying, can set off panic. Credit: Pexels

Genetics and Family History

[{"selector":"#anim-17468885-3ce3-471f-9bc1-3839a4d50421 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-11.118288536549706%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c841192b-ae5e-4bea-82a2-ec7ae87b3368","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a0b0199-b561-46ac-9589-e3254c242f11","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 263.56201%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7880c68f-a9b8-427b-a58e-8b3112144ab3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4289dbea-a931-497b-b1fa-d51dcf1649a8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 545.13828%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba9afa6a-7d9d-4efc-8e83-d0115674f6e2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-611b7574-1447-41bd-81af-c1fb78f29314","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 427.77791%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-87e1da92-3d12-4d50-99ed-549e6aaa9625","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5b5fef29-4fb5-4859-ab5f-d630abed144a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A family history of panic disorder or anxiety can make someone more susceptible. Credit: Pexels

Trauma or PTSD

[{"selector":"#anim-132cb2cb-2a13-49e7-a503-da18cd9c7769 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0773415332502871%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a9373885-f3ef-4d7e-aeec-d355f0bd9dbb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cfaccdf7-d880-43a1-b256-27459fb6cf25","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 430.91758%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e55d972-beeb-4587-b6ba-1cb7ddfdf2e5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c49f9049-29cd-43f3-bc1c-1e77b2ca5223","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 801.38779%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-42a8b4b2-8bf2-4b9d-aba6-477e3f6d43c7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6db1b1a3-abba-48d6-aeb9-e878bf6598d0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 816.84609%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-02751c79-3c7b-4870-bd92-c0a7b24e60ba","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8378329c-5047-40f7-8806-482bfe6db319","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Past traumatic experiences can trigger sudden panic responses. Credit: Pexels

Hyperventilation or Breathing Issues

[{"selector":"#anim-7878bedc-eb4a-4e45-a03b-486e273a4616 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, -24.997573051145515%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-284b6761-ece9-49c3-a11f-6da63204d000","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-24cba0ef-1e2c-4e8e-bfb9-8a673f219795","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 247.38559%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a751ab1d-7a06-42e7-8741-eda4a00ff2d1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cec9000c-a342-43a7-8773-82000c0bc05e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 413.88837%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-14d501e5-96f6-4379-8d73-4235a05410e5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5175235-2003-48e6-aabe-4105ea847eaf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 408.42304%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c765f26b-d9bf-4f0a-8723-b952c806d046","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b7a3d737-f569-4b64-a6b8-f22f045e7546","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Rapid or shallow breathing can mimic panic symptoms and escalate an attack. Credit: Pexels

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