How Panic and Stress Are Connected

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tara_Mae_Flannigan]Tara Mae Flannigan
Panic and stress are rather closely connected. Stress can trigger panic, and at the same time panic can cause stress. This may lead to a vicious cycle, which contributes to the development of panic disorder in some people. Most of the time, when stress or a stressor triggers panic, the stress taps into underlying issues that the person has. This means the stress itself may not be the direct cause of the panic. It was a catalyst of sorts. However, there are some circumstances when stress seemingly causes panic. This is most easily seen in people with a panic personality.
The panic personality or a personality that makes a person more likely to suffer from panic attacks and/or panic disorder has not been proven or officially recognized by science and psychology. However, some studies done on those who suffer from panic attacks and panic disorder have shown a trend in the personality traits of the patients. Because of this trend, the theory of a panic personality was formed.
A person who has a "panic personality" exhibits or has several or all the following traits:
highly responsible
workaholic
overly cautious
often attempt to avoid stressful situations
low self-esteem or lack of confidence
depend on others for approval
highly sensitive to criticism
hardly or has difficulty expressing feelings (especially anger)
introverted

The personality itself does not lead to panic attacks or panic disorder. Instead, these personality traits can create situations in which the person will develop many unresolved interpersonal conflicts and anxious feelings. This type of personality is also very susceptible to stress, which can add to the build up of anxious feelings within the person.
For example, a teenage girl with low self-esteem and a lack of confidence who has always depended on others for approval and has always been highly sensitive to criticism now has to move away to college. Her college is in a faraway state. Being away from her family and her comfort zone is a big stressor for her. She never tells her parents of her fears and anxiety. She pretends everything is okay.
Since she has always tried avoiding stressful situations, her being an introvert became more pronounced during her first two weeks of college. This was because she was afraid of what they would think of her, and she was anxious about how she would act. Now, college classes are in full swing and the girl finds that the simple act of stepping out the door of her dorm room triggers panic attacks.
In this situation, the girl's personality helped develop her panic attacks. Perhaps there was a lot of pent up anxiety and frustration (aside from not discussing her fears of college) that she kept throughout her teen years, and it was finally triggered by this major life change. The line between panic and stress is rather easily seen.
Remember, it doesn't mean that a person with this personality will end up with panic attacks or panic disorder. It simply makes them more susceptible to it. Apart from the personality traits, other factors need to be present in order to develop the disorder.
Panic and stress almost always go hand in hand. Even if a person does not have the panic personality, stress is very good at triggering panic or unlocking underlying interpersonal issues. When the body is stressed and its tipping point, it needs to release tension. If this isn't done in a healthy manner, panic attacks and panic disorder can develop.
Given that [http://www.panicdisorderattacks.com/]panic and stress are so connected, with one practically causing the other each time, it is no wonder that reducing stress can reduce panic attack frequency. There are plenty of natural and healthy ways to reduce stress, ways that are specially targeted towards reducing panic. Learn more about these techniques at [http://www.panicdisorderattacks.com/]Perfectly Panic Free.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Panic-and-Stress-Are-Connected&id=6530749] How Panic and Stress Are Connected