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

During the season 3 finale, Sydney had a panic attack after reading a bad review about the restaurant before Carmy took over. —Caroline Blair, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025

But the primary asset here is Hamm, so good at acting only irritated in the face of situations that would plunge the rest of us into a panic attack. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2025

Around the same time, Mike begins having panic attacks linked with witnessing the murder of Captain Howard at the hands of Armando, who was revealed to be Mike's son in Bad Boys for Life. —Rendy Jones, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025

It is often used to treat short-term high anxiety or panic – panic attacks, specifically – and even sometimes short-term sleep difficulty. —Ben Tinker, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for panic attack

• ammoniac
• biofeedback
• counterattack
• demoniac
• elegiac
• noncardiac
• paranoiac
• aback
• anzac
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback

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