The human brain has a defense and alarm system to protect itself against internal and external dangers. This system is an unconscious reflex and a primitive defense mechanism. The main purpose here is to give the message that there is a danger to the person and it is designed to make the person consciously defend himself afterwards. Therefore, we can compare it to an alarm system; The alarm sounds and informs us of the danger, and then we interpret-evaluate this danger and consciously try to protect ourselves.
In panic disorder, although the exact cause is unknown, this alarm system is activated by mistake; we can liken this to a short circuit that occurs in the "alarm system".
Usually innocent and physiological internal (bodily) stimuli, for example; physical exertion, too much coffee, a hot day, nightmares, emotions such as anger or excitement, etc. If this alarm system is activated, our nervous system (sympathetic nervous system) activates and changes occur in our body such as palpitations, rapid and rapid breathing, trembling, sweating and prepare us to escape from danger, but here this "alarm system" was accidentally activated .
Afterwards, the person pays excessive attention to these internal stimuli that he thinks as dangerous, almost monitors himself and starts to worry if it will happen again; then it continues as a vicious circle…
So a primitive reflex designed to protect us then starts to harm us. In fact, this is seen not only in mental illnesses but also in physical ailments.
For example; When the pressure in the vessels increases in high blood pressure disease, our heart starts to grow to overcome it, but after a certain period of time, the nutrition of the growing heart is disrupted and heart diseases occur. if the reaction continues for a long time, it begins to damage the organs; like the cytokine storm popular in the corona virus pandemic…
So if such a vicious circle occurs in the person after a panic attack; The person focuses on internal stimuli, then has repeated panic attacks and panic disorder develops...
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