panic attack

noun

plural panic attacks

: a sudden feeling or episode of panic

specifically : a brief episode of intense fear or dread that is of sudden onset and typically subsides within 30 minutes, usually occurs for no apparent reason but may sometimes be associated with an identifiable triggering stimulus (such as an existing phobia), and is accompanied by a sense of unreality and impending loss of control and by various debilitating physical symptoms (such as increased heart rate, chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath)

Those undergoing a panic attack often believe they are suffering a heart attack or some other illness.

—Lillian Lee Kim

Agoraphobia is a fear only of fear itself, that is, of any situation where help would be unavailable and escape difficult in case of a panic attack.

—The Harvard Mental Health Letter

compare anxiety attack

Examples of panic attack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lee has a panic attack during the third act war zone. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024

Doctors labeled his symptoms as a panic attack and sent him home. —Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024

One such moment came when Wexler was dropped from his first major record deal, which kicked off a string of panic attacks. —Jenna Wang, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024

In navigating those pressures, Miles experiences a panic attack that forces him to confront the manifestations of his anxiety and learn that reaching out for help can be just as brave an act as protecting his city from evil. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024

Those moments are common to us, if only in the form of dreams, or panic attacks, or transcendent joys. —Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024

Breathing exercises can help fight insomnia or ward off panic attacks. —Medea Giordano, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024

Antonoff says that for years the enormity of Sarah’s death led him to conclude that anything going wrong in his life — anger, anxiety, panic attacks — was a result of that tragedy. —Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024

He was ordered to appear at a recruitment office the next morning, but had a panic attack and did not go. —Siobhán O'Grady, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

panic attack

noun

: an episode of intense fear or apprehension that is of sudden onset and may occur for no apparent reason or as a reaction to an identifiable triggering stimulus (as a stressful event)

specifically : one that is accompanied by usually four or more bodily or cognitive symptoms (as heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, or feelings of unreality) and that typically peaks within 10 minutes of onset