What Causes Panic Disorder?

The exact cause of panic disorder is not known. However, several theories suggest the disorder develops based on a complex interaction of biological, genetic, environmental and/or social factors and experiences.

Here’s an overview of what is known so far about the cause of panic disorder:

1. There appears to be a genetic correlation because it does tend to run in families. But, even identical twin studies don’t show a genetic correlation 100% of the time.
   
   
2. There appears to be some common environmental sources of panic disorder, including growing up in homes with anxious parents, having insecure attachment patterns or enduring high levels of stress. But, not all people who experience these environmental triggers are affected. Many people who experience stressful childhoods or who are exposed to anxious caregivers do not develop panic disorder.
   
   
3. Studies have identified certain metabolic challenges and brain chemical abnormalities in people with panic disorder.
   
   
4. To date, the exact cause of panic disorder remains unknown.

Many experts believe that panic disorder develops from a combination of genetic, biological and environmental sources. Hopefully, future research will provide a better understanding of these, and perhaps other unknown, causes of panic disorder.