A period of intense fear or discomfort, with the abrupt development of a variety of physical symptoms and fears of dying, going crazy, or losing control that reach a crescendo within 10 minutes. The symptoms may include shortness of breath or smothering sensations; dizziness, faintness, or feelings of unsteadiness; trembling or shaking; sweating; choking; nausea or abdominal distress; flushes or chills; and chest pain or discomfort.
Panic attacks occur in several anxiety disorders. In panic disorder, they are typically unexpected and happen “out of the blue.” In disorders such as social phobia, specific phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), they are cued and occur when exposed to or in anticipation of a situational trigger. These attacks occur also in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A sudden onset of panic.
A brief abrupt period of intense apprehension, fear, or terror, often with accompanying physical symptoms such as difficult breathing, heart palpitations, chest pain, sensations of choking, trembling or shaking, nausea, and fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying; a key characteristic of panic disorders but also found in other mental disorders, such as schizophrenia or depression.
A sudden, unexpected, overwhelming, and terrifying episode of anxiety in which the person feels as if he or she is out of control and threatened with imminent harm. Physical symptoms can include a sensation of shortness of breath, dizziness or faintness, rapid pounding heartbeat, trembling, sweating, shakiness, chills, choking, nausea, heartburn, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, chest pain or discomfort, flushed or clammy skin, paralysis of the face, and agitation. The symptoms come on rapidly, usually peak within seconds or minutes, and subside. Usually the whole episode peaks within lo minutes and is over within 30 minutes. Panic attacks may recur. They can be a symptom of any of the anxiety disorders, depression, and a number of physical conditions, including impaired breathing and heart disease.
Panic attacks, or panic disorders, are recurrent short episodes of acute distress. Some sufferers may be mentally confused and fear impending death. Initially these attacks tend to occur unexpectedly but, if recurrent, they often become associated with certain places such as a confined space (lift) or among crowds. Symptoms include a feeling of breathing difficulties, including over-breathing, palpitation, dizziness, sweating, faintness and pains in the chest. Attacks are usually short (a few minutes) but not often associated with physical illness, although victims may have an anxiety disorder or phobia. If troublesome or disabling, attacks can be treated symptomatically with short-term anxiolytics or on a long-term basis with behaviour therapy.
A discrete period of intense fear or discomfort that is accompanied by at least four of the following symptoms: palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of shortness of breath or smothering, feeling of choking, chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, dizziness or lightheadedness, feeling of unreality or being detached from oneself, feeling of losing control or going crazy, fear of dying, paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations), and chills or hot flushes. The onset is sudden and builds to a peak usually in 10 min or less. It may include a sense of imminent danger or impending doom and an urge to escape.
Acute episodes of intense fear with prominent physiological features.
A transient episode characterized by intense fear, accompanied by both physical and cognitive symptoms. Panic attacks can occur unexpectedly or be triggered by specific internal or external stimuli.
A short duration characterized by intense anxiety, frequently marked by a strong dread of death or the loss of one’s sanity. Despite being distressing and alarming, panic attacks generally endure for a brief span, posing no physical harm, and are seldom linked to severe physical ailments.
Panic attacks commonly manifest as a characteristic of anxiety disorders, agoraphobia, or various phobias. Nevertheless, there are instances where these episodes are connected to somatization disorders or schizophrenia.
Initially, these episodes arise without warning, but they eventually form connections with particular scenarios, like being confined in a small elevator. The symptoms emerge abruptly and encompass sensations of breathlessness, chest discomfort, rapid heartbeat, sensations of dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating, trembling, and a sense of almost fainting. Often, hyperventilation accompanies these symptoms. This condition triggers an abnormal drop in carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream, resulting in tingling sensations and experiences of depersonalization and derealization. These episodes conclude rapidly.
Swift relief from hyperventilation symptoms can be attained by placing a small paper bag over the mouth and nose, then inhaling and exhaling into the bag for a brief duration. This action assists in restoring carbon dioxide levels to their regular state. Over a more extended period, cognitive-behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques can be employed to aid those affected in managing their anxiety.