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Is it normal to have panic attacks out of the blue without any triggers?

15 Answers
Last Updated: 07/17/2017 at 10:21am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Lindsay Scheinerman, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

My work with clients is to help them recognize and build on their strengths to find solutions for the conflicts presented in their lives.

Top Rated Answers
convivialKite1026
September 27th, 2016 9:29am
Most of the time, my panic attacks happen for no reason. Sometimes it starts because of something happening or when I have a bad feeling about something. So it is possible.
SheKnowsHope
March 22nd, 2015 10:12am
It is normal to have panic attacks without triggers. If you have a panic attack that seems out of the blue, there may be a less obvious cause. If you have daily stresses at work or home, try to minimize your stress. Also limit your caffeine, and alcohol intake. (Talk to your doctor about any medication or other possible stimulants that may be causing it). Get plenty of rest, and exercise (a daily walk may help), and eat regularly. Panic attacks are unpredictable, but you can minimize their onsets.
Mocha3800
October 10th, 2016 4:40pm
Yes it could have been something you seen earlier that day and you surpressed it and your body when it was relaxed decided to let that pressure off.
Anonymous
December 27th, 2016 5:46pm
In my experience there are triggers, but we don't usually know what they are and they are very hard to understand because many come from causes that we don't remember.
heavenPainting21
February 15th, 2016 5:53pm
yes panic attacks can come out the blue for no reason's you do not realize sometimes, what has caused it to happen
Anonymous
July 19th, 2016 7:16pm
Based on my personal experience, I'd say it's not uncommon or odd. It could be due to many things... heightened levels of stress, being overwhelmed, or your brain may even have triggers that you don't know about. The brain is a complex thing and sometimes it just does things you don't always understand!
joyfulSunshine48
August 8th, 2016 2:22pm
Yes, anxiety can be quite unpredictable. But there is always a way to better understand and help your anxiety.
uniqueWatermelon91
July 17th, 2017 10:21am
Depending on its situation. Most of the time, it is normal to have panic attacks. It is all in our mind. We lead our thinking into a deeper tunnel that seems so dark that makes you think there is no way out.
Anonymous
March 15th, 2015 9:58am
Yes, I think. It occurs to me too. It happens to me, especially when I'm in public. I don't even know the reason, it just happens to me.
HealingLotus
May 3rd, 2015 5:24am
Yes. You may not think there are any triggers, but there are. Even smells, or sounds can be a trigger.
helpfulPeace78
June 16th, 2015 1:36am
Yes. I have had a number of years living with panic attacks, and with me, they rarely have any triggers. In time, I have just come to notice the early signs of a beginning of a panic attack and learned how to cope with them as they come.
Airamdolz
June 17th, 2015 9:18pm
Yes and no. Maybe there is a trigger you aren't noticing or havent realized is a trigger. Try and think about your panic attacks and see if thereis anything linking them. I thought my panic attacks were random but after therapy I noticed that there was just a trigger that i didnt notice.
Lyricaldancer99
January 5th, 2016 1:13am
That's totally normal! Panic attacks can happen anytime. But when they do happen just breathe in and out
MoodyEve
June 6th, 2016 8:31am
I have them often seemingly out of the blue. I am told it can be quite normal, even if there are triggers present sometimes they can't be noticed until you reflect on the situation afterwards and lets face it, who really wants to go back to the situation and dwell on it. After I have survived a panic attack I just want to move forward. Sometimes as hard as I try to avoid anything that might trigger a panic attack it will still happen.
Will387
January 31st, 2017 11:58am
Sometimes, panic attacks do come and go seemingly without any triggers whatsoever. Sometimes, we don't know what triggers us, since it could be the smallest things. It is also important to realize that sometimes we can trigger ourselves, as well. Seek some expert advice on finding out why you're having panic attacks so suddenly, as these can be hard to prevent and control.

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