What is the cause of panic attacks and how are they different from anxiety attacks?

Amygdala: Panic attacks are thought to result from inappropriate activation of the amygdala, an area of the brain which in animals is associated with the fight or flight response. In essence your body is activating mechanisms meant to help your fight or flee, but there is no threat present to justify the response. Typically anxiety attack is a colloquial term for panic attack.

Anxiety attack = : Panic attack. Some things which can ^ risk for panic attacks include: previous abuse/ trauma ; genetic predisposition. Traumatic brain injury, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, mitral valve prolapse, recurrent hyperventilation, extreme physical activity, drug abuse ; use of stimulants may ^ risk. Acute stressors or chronic stress, illness, claustrophobia ; major life changes can also play a part.