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The Physiology of Agoraphobia: What Makes Some People More
Prone to Having Panic Attacks.
by Stephen Price
Physical differences have been observed among people who are
prone to panic attacks or developing agoraphobia. The
following are descriptions of these physical differences.
Sensitivity
to adrenalin and hormonal changes
In general, people with agoraphobia have overactive adrenal
glands and are more likely to experience an adrenaline rush
or “fight or flight” response when faced with a perceived
psychological threat. This makes them more susceptible to
panic attacks.
In agoraphobia patients, adrenaline and a hormone called
cortisol (a stress fighting hormone) are overproduced by the
adrenal gland during times of prolonged stress.
The overproduction of adrenaline and cortisol interferes
with the production of serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin and
dopamine are neurotransmitters that stabilize your mood and
sense of well-being. When serotonin and dopamine levels are
low, your mood becomes unstable and you are less able to
cope with stress.
In this state of chemical imbalance, you become more easily
fatigued, your immune system is compromised, and you are
more at risk for experiencing anxiety and panic attacks.
Even after the original stressor is gone, you are likely to
stay in a heightened state of anxiety.
Sensitivity to medications
A
greater sensitivity to medications, including side effects,
is observed among agoraphobia patients. The side effects
and/or withdrawal symptoms for some medications, including
anti-anxiety medications, mimic the symptoms of anxiety and
panic attacks. Because of this, medications prescribed to
people who have panic attacks or panic disorder should be
prescribed in smaller doses at first and then increased
gradually as it is possible.
Sensitivity to physical stimulus
People with agoraphobia who have panic attacks usually have
a heightened sensitivity to bright lights, temperatures,
sudden or harsh sounds, and other sources of physical
stimulation. Physical stimulus will more easily overwhelm
someone with agoraphobia, create an aura of disorientation,
and lead to a release of adrenaline (triggering the “fight
or flight” response).
Sensitivity to large amounts of sodium lactate
Large amounts of sodium lactate in the bloodstream have been
found by some researchers to cause panic attacks in people
with agoraphobia. Sodium lactate is produced when muscle
cells convert sugar into energy. It is the basic solution in
intravenous fluids given in the hospital.
In one study, patients suffering from panic disorder with
agoraphobia experienced a dramatic increase in blood flow to
the temporal lobes of the brain when given sodium lactate.
The temporal lobes are the same area of the brain affected
when subjects in other studies (who do not have panic
disorder or agoraphobia) are given an electric shock!
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