Inside the Brain of Panic Disorder

What Causes Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder is considered a medical condition that causes sudden and intense waves of fear, even when there is no real danger present. A 2024 scientific review brought together many studies to explain what is happening inside the body and brain of people who experience panic disorder. The researchers determined that panic disorder is linked to changes in brain chemistry, stress hormones, and genes, all of which affect how the brain responds to fear.

What the Science Says

The review described and explained that panic disorder involves problems in brain circuits that are in control of fear, emotion, and physical reactions such as breathing and heart rate. These circuits connect different areas of the brain and work together to decide whether something should be considered to be truly dangerous. In people with panic disorder, these connections do not work normally, so harmless sensations can be mistaken for serious threats; this mistake is what can trigger a panic attack.

The HPA Axis and Panic Disorder

The researchers also found that the body’s main system that handles stress, called the HPA axis, works differently in people with panic disorder. This system controls how much stress hormone the body releases. When it is not balanced, the body stays in a state of high alert, which makes it more likely for panic attacks to occur.

Brain Changes and Panic Disorder

Changes in brain chemicals also play a role. These chemicals help nerve cells communicate and calm the brain after someone experiences fear. In people with panic disorder, this communication is disrupted, so the brain has a harder time shutting off fear once it starts.

Genetics and Panic Disorder

The review also showed that genetics may play a role in panic disorder. Some people are born with genes that make their brain more sensitive to stress and fear. Life experiences can additionally change how these genes are turned on or off, which can increase the risk of developing panic disorder over time.

Conclusions on Panic Disorder

The authors concluded that panic disorder is a multifaceted medical condition that involves the way the brain and body handle fear and stress. This understanding supports treatments that combine medication, therapy, and healthy habits to help calm the brain and reduce panic attacks.

Citation:

Moraes, A. C. N., Wijaya, C., Freire, R., Quagliato, L. A., Nardi, A. E., & Kyriakoulis, P. (2024). Neurochemical and genetic factors in panic disorder: a systematic review. Translational Psychiatry, 14, 294. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-02966-0

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board