What triggers random anxiety and panic attacks when nothing is going on?
235 Answers
Moderated by Smita Joshi, BA Psychology / MA / Advanced EFT Practitioner
Updated: Aug 13, 2023
Anonymous
on
Jan 10, 2018
...read more
It's mainly through your thoughts or just thinking that there should be something going on that you forgot, even when you are constantly reminded. I always feel the need to be productive and always doing something, and if I'm not, I get really anxious. It just happens.
Anonymous
on
Jan 19, 2018
...read more
Sometimes they are triggered when I am going to travel. Other times they come on for no reason at all
CherryRulz
on
Jan 19, 2018
...read more
triggers can come out of nowhere. I could be looking at someone having fun and be like how are they having so much fun. I could think of my favorite show and start crying because episodes didn't come out. I have lots of existential panic attacks a lot. thinking about life could make me start crying. So i try to just have fun so i don't cry during school.
EmpathSoldier
on
Jan 28, 2018
...read more
Chemical inbalance, loud noises and sudden stressful thoughts. Sudden, extreme life changes. Sometimes I can't tell at all.
Anonymous
on
Feb 3, 2018
...read more
Sometimes anxiety attacks can be triggered by smell, a sound or even a color. When you are already stressed you are more prone to have a panic attack.
bubblynova
on
Feb 3, 2018
...read more
Thoughts about being anxious / having a panic attack and being unable to control it. Thoughts of a future event that might have a negative outcome.
AJupiter
on
Feb 7, 2018
...read more
your thoughts. they are pulling the trigger and opening the door to overthinking, which leads to anxiety and panic attack, and also develop your fantasy. you start imagining things that will never happen out of nowhere and it stresses you out and makes you worried, even tho it's unimportant, you get worried and those worries can lead to panic and paranoia as well.
zahi7899
on
Feb 11, 2018
...read more
Personally, I may get an anxiety attack when there is noting really happening around me but a thought or many thoughts pop into my head.
However, I imagine 'nothing going on' also means cognitively. Random panic attacks can be due to genetic predisposition, early childhood anxiety, persistent stress over a length of time, are all a few invisible, unavoidable factors.
Then if you're thinking about stuff, or was thinking about something earlier that was stressful, you may get a panic attack. Too much alone time with your thoughts can bring on attacks, but even a lack of goals in life, no matter how small, can trigger the fight/flight response because you need those emotions to cope with relieving stressors.
endearingLion70
on
Feb 14, 2018
...read more
The nature of anxiety is that it is not always connected to something that is currently happening that's why it is hard to deal with it.
eliaphant
on
Feb 21, 2018
...read more
Literally ANYTHING can trigger anxiety and panic attacks! I didn't realize this for so long, but sites, smells, and everything else can trigger anxiety!
MissesOliver
on
Feb 22, 2018
...read more
This sounds like generalized anxiety and it can be brought on by nothing in particular. I suggest speaking with a therapist to find what works best for you to fight these attacks.
Anonymous
on
Mar 2, 2018
...read more
Just the fear of something is going to go wrong and you getting looked at and people are talking about you
Ihurt2
on
Mar 7, 2018
...read more
Not everything has a trigger with generalized anxiety disorder nothing has to happen for anxiety to come on it's what you do to be able to cope in that moment is what really matters.
Arrigo
on
Mar 28, 2018
...read more
Anything could trigger anxiety, but usually stress is the one property that carries people away, be it momentaneous or due to past events.
Anonymous
on
Mar 30, 2018
...read more
Expectancy of something happening. Not knowing what to do now you have some quiet time. any number of factors, its best to just take your time and learn from wat happens and plan accordingly in the future so it doesn't become such a large hurdle.
Anonymous
on
Apr 5, 2018
...read more
from my own personal experience what triggers random anxiety are actions caused by other people that we come across whether they are visitors or just complete strangers how they treat their kids or in a relationship on things are going through yelling and screaming the blame when a person walks away I'm more serious situations that do indeed bring back anxieties as well as panic attacks
Yourhero123
on
Apr 11, 2018
...read more
Maybe you see things that trigger a bad memory. Like seeing someone being bullied you'll remember your experience of being bullied and it'll trigger your anxiety and panic attacks. Maybe you're just remembering too deeply that you remember all those bad times in your life
Lunare
on
Apr 18, 2018
...read more
Loud noises, crowds often cause anxiety or panic for me. When my teacher looks around the room for someone to answer a question, I often look down because of instinct, which causes him to think I'm not paying attention. I go blank and embarrass myself in front of my entire class when that happens.
BritishSteven
on
Apr 20, 2018
...read more
The slightest things can trigger anxiety, even noises when you are asleep can cause you to wake up in the morning feeling panicked and anxious
BeTheChangeYouWant
on
Apr 26, 2018
...read more
This can entirely depends from person to person. Everyone has unique triggers for anxiety, and often only by actively practicing mindfulness are we able to identify them beforehand or during their onset. If you feel random anxiety or a panic attack, try a grounding exercise and then see if you can identify what it was that set you off personally so you can be aware of it for the future!
Talk to an expert therapist
I have worked in a variety of settings to include outpatient, intensive...
Talk to Stacey NowCan anxiety cause me to feel depressed?
343 Answers
The Facebook "Seen" message gives me a lot of anxiety! When I see that the person has "seen" the message, but does not reply, I start thinking about all the possible reasons why they would 'ignore' me... Does anyone else feel this? If so, how do you cope?
320 Answers
How can I overcome anxiety if I can't talk to a therapist or my own doctor?
307 Answers
What are alternative ways besides medication to deal with the physical symptoms of anxiety?
307 Answers
Is it normal to feel more anxious when you're alone?
307 Answers
Is it normal to feel scared to go to college?
306 Answers
Communities