A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and includes at least four of the symptoms below.
What is panic disorder?
A panic attack is a strong physical reaction accompanied by feelings of fear that suddenly come on and can last for several minutes. When you have a panic attack, you may sweat profusely, feel short of breath, and experience chest pains that may feel like you’re having a heart attack. These are all reasons why panic attacks can be very frightening and uncomfortable.
People who experience repeated panic attacks often become anxious and preoccupied with having another attack and may make changes to their lifestyle to avoid having panic attacks. If you have experienced four or more panic attacks or live in fear of having another attack, you may have a panic disorder.
Symptoms of panic disorder:
- Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
- Feelings of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint
- Chills or heat sensations
- Paresthesia (numbness or tingling sensations)
- Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
- Fear of losing control or “going crazy”
- Fear of dying
Someone may be diagnosed with panic disorder if they experience sudden and repeated panic attacks, a feeling of being out of control, of death, or impending doom during a panic attack. They may also be diagnosed with panic disorder if they experience intense worry about when or where the next panic attack will happen and fear or avoid places where panic attacks have occurred in the past for 30 days or more.