What Is a Panic Attack?

A panic attack is a sudden intense feeling of terror, fear or apprehension, without a threat of actual danger. Learn how not all attacks are the same.

January 17, 2025 · 5 min · 1006 words · Glenda Lee

Table of Contents

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Panic Attack?SymptomsDiagnosisCausesTypesTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is a Panic Attack?

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Types

Treatment

Coping

Close

A panic attack is a sudden and intense feeling of terror, fear, or apprehension, without the presence of actual danger. Thesymptoms of a panic attackusually happen suddenly, peak within 10 minutes, and then subside. However, some attacks may last longer or may occur in succession, making it difficult to determine when one attack ends and another begins.

Panic Attack Symptoms

Panic attacks usually appear suddenly and lead to intense feelings of fear. They tend to last around 10 to 20 minutes but can last longer in some instances. The experience can vary from one person to the next, but some of the most common symptoms include:

How to Recognize and Cope With Panic Attack Symptoms

Panic Attack Diagnosis

It is possible to have a few isolated panic attacks without recurrence. But, since panic-like symptoms may mimic many other medical and psychological disorders, it is important to review your symptoms with your doctor.

Causes of Panic Attacks

The exact causes of panic attacks are not known, but there are a number of different factors that are believed to play a role. These include:

If you tend to be more sensitive to stress or frequently experience negative emotions, you may be more likely to experience panic attacks. People who have family members with anxiety disorders may also be more likely to experience panic attacks, suggesting there is a genetic component.

Women are also more likely than men to develop anxiety conditions such as panic disorder. As a result, experts recommend that women and girls aged 13 and older be screened for anxiety conditions.

Types of Panic Attacks

One way that panic attacks have been characterized into different types is as follows:

Overview of Panic Attack Types

Treatment for Panic Attacks

Treatment for panic attacks can involve psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. Treatment options are focused on reducing the frequency and intensity of these attacks. The treatment options that your doctor recommends may depend on a variety of factors including your diagnosis, your history, your preferences, and the severity of your symptoms.

Psychotherapy

There are different types of therapy that may be used, but an approach known ascognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) is often recommended for panic attacks and anxiety disorders. CBT is focused on helping people identify the thoughts that contribute to feelings of fear and anxiety and replace them with more helpful, realistic ones. Through this process, people can learn that the things that trigger these attacks are not as frightening as they previously believed.

Medication

Your doctor may also prescribe certain medications to help treat some symptoms that might be associated with your panic attacks. Some of the medications you might be prescribed include:

Coping With Panic Attacks

There are also steps that you can take if you are having a panic attack or fear that you might have one. Some helpful strategies you can try include:

Getting Through a Panic Attack

A Word From Verywell

Panic attacks can be distressing, but help is available. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options and explore some relaxation techniques that you can use to stay calm when you are faced with an anxiety-provoking situation.

If you or a loved one are struggling with panic attacks, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with panic attacks, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

The Best Online Anxiety Support Groups

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Locke AB, Kirst N, Shultz CG.Diagnosis and management of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(9):617-24.Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Locke AB, Kirst N, Shultz CG.Diagnosis and management of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(9):617-24.Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Locke AB, Kirst N, Shultz CG.Diagnosis and management of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(9):617-24.Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580

Locke AB, Kirst N, Shultz CG.Diagnosis and management of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(9):617-24.

Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

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