Are some people more susecptible to panic symptoms than others? In short, yes. Physical differences have been observed among people who are prone to panic disorder compared to the average person. The following are descriptions of some of these physical differences.

1) Sensitivity to adrenalin and hormonal changes

In general, people with panic disorders (including agoraphobia) have adrenal glands that overproduce. Because of this, they 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 panic disorder patients, during times of prolonged stress, another hormone called cortisol (used by the body to fight stress) as well as adrenaline are overproduced by the adrenal gland.

The overproduction of adrenaline and cortisol inhibits with the production of serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters that stabilize a person’s mood and sense of well-being. When levels of dopamine and serotonin become low, your moods can become unstable and you are less capable of fighting off stress.

In this state of chemical imbalance, you become more easily fatigued, are more susceptible to disease, and you are more at risk for experiencing anxiety and panic attacks. Even after the initial cause of the stress is gone, you are likely to remain in a heightened state of anxiety.

2) Sensitivity to medications

A greater sensitivity to medications,  including side effects, is observed among panic disorder patients. The side effects and/or symptoms of withdrawl for some medications, including anti-anxiety medications, often be similar to the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks themselves. Because of this, medications prescribed to people who have had panic attacks should be prescribed in reduced dosages initially and then increased gradually as little as possible.

3) Sensitivity to physical stimulus

People who have panic attacks usually are more sensitive to bright lights, temperatures, sudden or harsh sounds, and other sources of physical stimulation. Physical stimulus can often overwhelm someone with panic disorder, create an aura of disorientation, and lead to a release of adrenaline (triggering the “fight or flight” reaction).

4) 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 frequent panic symptoms. When muscles convert sugar to energy, sodium lactate is produced. It is the basic solution in intravenous fluids given in the hospital.

In one study, when patients with panic disorders were given sodium lactate, the temporal lobes of the brain experienced a dramatic increase in blood flow. The temporal lobes are the same area of the brain affected when subjects in other studies (who do not have panic symptoms) have been given an electric shock!