What Is an Anxiety Attack?

An anxiety attack is a sudden, unexpected episode of intense fear and anxiety. Learn the symptoms and the differences between an anxiety attack vs. a panic attack.

January 17, 2025 · 8 min · 1647 words · Isaac Lawson

Table of Contents

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is an Anxiety Attack?SymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatmentCoping

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Table of Contents

What Is an Anxiety Attack?

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Treatment

Coping

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An anxiety attack is a sudden and intense episode of fear and anxiety. Anxiety attacks can occur unexpectedly for no apparent reason, but they can also be linked to specific triggers.

“Anxiety attack” is not a formal, clinical term. Many often use the term colloquially to describe all sorts of anxious responses.

Symptoms of an Anxiety Attack

Symptoms of an anxiety attack can vary. Some people may only experience a few mild symptoms of anxiety, while others may experience a wider variety of more intense symptoms. These symptoms include:

Anxiety Attack vs. Panic Attack

Have you ever experienced an intense feeling of terror, fear, or apprehension for no apparent reason? If so, you may have experienced apanic attack.

If you experience recurrent panic attacks, you may have a condition known as panic disorder. Panic attacks can also signify other underlying medical or mental health conditions, including sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or depression.

A panic attack is not dangerous, but the symptoms are often confused with serious medical conditions. Sometimes, a person may feel like they are having a heart attack or dying.

Because panic attack symptoms overlap with symptoms of certain severe conditions, it is essential to rule out any medical causes.

A panic attack and an anxiety attack differ in terms of how long they last. Panic attacks are typically briefer, lasting somewhere between 10 and 20 minutes. The feelings associated with an anxiety attack can last longer. They may begin gradually and may last for hours or days.

Panic Attack SymptomsSymptoms of a panic attack may include:Chest pain or discomfortChills or hot flushesFear of dyingFear of losing control or going crazyFeeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faintFeeling of chokingFeelings of unreality (derealization) or of being detached from oneself (depersonalization)Heart palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rateNausea or abdominal distressNumbness or tingling sensations (paresthesias)Sensations ofshortness of breathor smotheringSweatingTrembling or shaking

Panic Attack Symptoms

Symptoms of a panic attack may include:Chest pain or discomfortChills or hot flushesFear of dyingFear of losing control or going crazyFeeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faintFeeling of chokingFeelings of unreality (derealization) or of being detached from oneself (depersonalization)Heart palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rateNausea or abdominal distressNumbness or tingling sensations (paresthesias)Sensations ofshortness of breathor smotheringSweatingTrembling or shaking

Symptoms of a panic attack may include:

Panic Attack vs. Anxiety Attack: How They Differ

Diagnosis of an Anxiety Attack

If you are experiencing anxiety symptoms, your first step may be to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may conduct lab tests to rule out any medical conditions that might be causing or contributing to your symptoms. If there is no medical cause, your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional for further evaluation.

Because an anxiety attack is not a formal diagnosis, you may be diagnosed with a type of anxiety disorder such as panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, depending on your symptoms. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms to determine a diagnosis based on theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)criteria.

Experts now recommend that all women over the age of 13 should be screened for anxiety, but always talk to your doctor if you are concerned about symptoms you are experiencing.

Causes of Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety Disorders

Perceived Threats

Anxiety can be a response to an imprecise or unknown threat. For example, imagine you’re walking alone down a dark street. You may feel a little uneasy, and perhaps you have a few butterflies in your stomach. This type of “anxiety attack” is related to thepossibilitythat there might be a danger that poses you harm.

This anxiety is not the result of a known or specific threat. Instead, it comes from your mind’s vision of the possible dangers that may result in the situation. The symptoms you are experiencing are typical and even beneficial.

Anticipating threats allows your body to prepare to respond to a situation quickly—a phenomenon known as thefight-or-flight response.

Specific Situations

Sometimes, what people call “anxiety attacks” are actually normal reactions to life experiences that make us anxious. These experiences can include things such as:

Such situations can cause feelings that can range from normal anxiety (which may often be beneficial) to an anxiety attack. This anxiety might be temporary, but it can still be upsetting and can interfere with your ability to perform in certain situations (such as giving a speech). If situational anxiety attacks make it difficult to cope, seeking treatment can be helpful

Other factors contributing to anxiety attack symptoms include genetics,chronic stress, drug and alcohol use, brain changes, certain medications, and traumatic events. Excessivecaffeineconsumption can also trigger an anxiety attack.

The Benefits of Anxiety

Treatment for Anxiety Attacks

Effective anxiety treatments are available. These treatments can be used to treat a diagnosed anxiety disorder, but they can also be helpful for reducing general feelings of anxiety as well.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy focuses on changing anxious thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. There are many different types of psychotherapy, but cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are two of the most frequently used.

Medications

Some medications can be useful for treating symptoms of anxiety. These include:

If you are experiencing anxiety attacks, various coping strategies and lifestyle modifications may also help. These include:

If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety or panic attacks, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for 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 anxiety or panic attacks, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Get Advice From The Verywell Mind Podcast

A Word From Verywell

A person may experience a panic attack once or even a few times during their lives and may never develop an anxiety disorder. Since the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks may mimic many other medical and psychological disorders, however, it is important to review your symptoms with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Anxiety attacks can be frightening, but it is important to remember that they are often normal reactions to difficult situations. If your symptoms of anxiety are frequent or are making it difficult to function normally, talk to your doctor. Effective treatments are available and there are also many self-help strategies that you might find helpful.

How to Cope With Feelings of Anxiety

6 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.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety disorders: diagnosis and tests.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;173(1):48–56. doi:10.7326/M20-0580Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety disorders: what is an anxiety disorder.Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al.Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(7):545-562. doi:10.1002/da.21964Aylett E, Small N, Bower P.Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice - a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):559. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3313-5

6 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.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety disorders: diagnosis and tests.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;173(1):48–56. doi:10.7326/M20-0580Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety disorders: what is an anxiety disorder.Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al.Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(7):545-562. doi:10.1002/da.21964Aylett E, Small N, Bower P.Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice - a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):559. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3313-5

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.

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety disorders: diagnosis and tests.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;173(1):48–56. doi:10.7326/M20-0580Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety disorders: what is an anxiety disorder.Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al.Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(7):545-562. doi:10.1002/da.21964Aylett E, Small N, Bower P.Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice - a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):559. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3313-5

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

Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety disorders: diagnosis and tests.

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;173(1):48–56. doi:10.7326/M20-0580

Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety disorders: what is an anxiety disorder.

Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al.Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Depress Anxiety. 2012;29(7):545-562. doi:10.1002/da.21964

Aylett E, Small N, Bower P.Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice - a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):559. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3313-5

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