EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH
Panic attacks?
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that comes on quickly and reaches its peak within minutes.
Need immediate help?
If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else — or if there’s any type of health emergency — please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
How panic attacks might show up
People have described panic attacks like a feeling of terror that strikes suddenly and without warning. They can feel like a heart attack and be very scary and debilitating.
Panic attacks can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, nausea, and sweating. They may also cause those intense feelings of fear, losing control, or even death.
While panic attack symptoms can be very scary, panic attacks themselves are not dangerous. Their disruptive nature can worsen other behavioral health concerns such as anxiety and depression that interfere with everyday life such as work, school, and relationships with family and friend
Need immediate help?
If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves or someone else — or if there’s any type of health emergency — please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
If panic attacks are happening frequently and disrupting your daily life, treatment can help. A therapist can help develop a treatment plan that may include individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric services, and medication management.
While panic attacks are a core symptom of panic disorder, they can occur on their own because of issues such as stress, medical conditions such as thyroid problems or heart arrhythmias, and substance use.
Frequently asked questions about panic attacks
-
Symptoms can be similar, but heart attacks often involve additional symptoms such as pain radiating down the arm or jaw. Because there are similarities, it is best to seek medical attention immediately.
-
Panic attacks typically peak within minutes and become less severe within about 30 minutes.