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

Seydoux plays Lucy, an experimental pianist who moves with her beloved but panic attack-liable husband Philip (Laurence Rupp) and young son to a rural farmhouse in Bavaria. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

For the first two weeks of filming, the actor suffered panic attacks, until he eventually got used to the claustrophobic sensation. — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

His father’s suicide was a focal point of an emotionally rich second season, in which Ted’s panic attacks led the habitually optimistic coach to seek help from a therapist. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

The trial in Charlotte was postponed for a week after Bakker had a panic attack upon being taken into custody. — Tim Funk, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for panic attack

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

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 compare anxiety attack