Anxiety attacks seem to occur out of nowhere for some. Sometimes they are brought about by an obvious trigger, and at other times, there seems to be no particular reason standing behind the attack. However scary they might seem at the time, anxiety attacks are simply our body's way of telling us that there is a threat, and we need to exit the situation as soon as possible. This has a lot to do with our body's built in natural fight-or-flight response system. It just seems to go off at the wrong times. Anxiety attacks often spur off from a threat that is either partially real or imagined. Most of the time, it is an imagined threat that is completely irrational, and has no place in reality.

Sweating, shaking, nervousness and a since of faintness are all symptoms of anxiety attacks. The thoughts cannot be shut off and the more they think the more panicked they become. The incidence of being in a crowded store will cause a panic attack to kick in faster.

Here are a few of the typical reasons for the onset of a panic attack:

1. Too much caffeine and nicotine. These act as powerful stimulants which can heightened symptoms such as fast breathing, tingling and numbing, racing heartbeat, and chest tightness.

2. Panic attacks may be hereditary. Your family history can play a big part in the onset of anxiety. If you parents suffered from these attacks you may be more prone to them. However, it does not mean this is an absolute guarantee that you will suffer from panic attacks as well.

3. There is a condition called labyrinthitis that bothers the inner ear and can cause a panic attack to begin.

4. The abrupt starting or stopping medications can cause a panic attack. Certain medications such as SSRI can heighten feelings of anxiety when beginning this treatment. Stopping the medication can also cause these feelings.

5. Your attitude must be positive. The more you dwell on the bad things that you think are going to happen, the more miserable you will become. If you can keep your cool during the first few minutes of an attack, you will have the strength to overcome.

They are indeed very frightening, but the most intense anxiety only occurs within the first 10 minutes of the attack. For the majority of individuals, a typical attack only lasts no more than 10 minutes at a time. Some people can have them for up to 10 minutes longer, while some people only experience feelings of panic and anxiety for as little as 15 seconds. It is different for everyone. Keep in mind that they are not dangerous. Getting control over them is the hardest part. Typically, people will have one anxiety attack after another in fear that they are going to have to go through the horrible experience again. This is usually what begins an ongoing vicious cycle of attacks.

If you really want to conquer these attacks and get rid of them for good you must try to understand panic attacks. The only way to fight the problem is to understand what causes them. Since you have already had the attacks you know how bad they will get. You have already seen the worst, so gathering control when you feel one approaching is the best way to understand that you can stop them. This is the only way to break the cycle. If you stop dreading the onset of the attacks, they will become further and further apart and less frightening. The one thing you should keep in the front of your mind is they are not life threatening and if you control them, they cannot control you.