How your body reacts during a panic attack

Panic attacks trigger the body's fight-or-flight response, causing rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and a feeling of impending doom. This response is initiated by the brain's amygdala, which signals the hypothalamus to release adrenaline and cortisol, leading to physiological changes. Sometimes, panic attacks can be triggered by involuntary breath-holding, which imbalances blood CO2 levels, prompting a distress signal to the brain.