Panic Attack/Anxiety
A panic attack causes sudden, temporary feelings of fear and strong physical reactions in response to ordinary, nonthreatening situations. When you’re having a panic attack, you may sweat a lot, have difficulty breathing and feel like your heart’s racing. It may feel like you’re having a heart attack.
Panic attacks are the main feature of panic disorder. But they can happen alongside other conditions, such as:
- Anxiety disorders.
- Mood disorders.
- Phobias.
- Psychotic disorders.
- Substance use disorders.
- Trauma- and stressor-
- related disorders.
- Certain medical conditions.
While panic attacks by themselves aren’t dangerous or harmful to your health, frequent attacks can lead to a decrease in your quality of life and other issues.
What’s the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack?
The main difference is that certain stressors often trigger anxiety attacks, and they may build up gradually. In contrast, panic attacks typically happen unexpectedly and suddenly.
Anxiety often causes physical symptoms, such as a racing heart or knots in your stomach. But these symptoms are generally less intense and last longer than a panic attack, which has very intense but brief symptoms.
What is panic disorder?
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that involves multiple unexpected panic attacks. A main feature of panic disorder is that the attacks usually happen without warning and aren’t due to another mental health or physical condition. There’s often not a specific trigger for them.
What are the symptoms of a panic attack?
A panic attack happens suddenly. Symptoms usually peak within 10 minutes after it starts and then disappear soon after. Physical symptoms of a panic attack include:
- Chest pain.
- Racing heart.
- Difficulty breathing, such
- as hyperventilation.
- Trembling or shaking.
- Chills.
- Nausea.
- Sweating.
- Tingling or numbness in
- your fingers or toes.
You may feel:
- Intense terror.
- A choking or smothering sensation.
- Fear of losing control.Like you’re going to die.
- Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (feeling detached from yourself).
- Panic attacks are very unpleasant and can be frightening.
If you’ve had symptoms of a panic attack, it’s important to see a healthcare provider.