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

These producers are going to give Mel a panic attack! —Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025

Put it that way, and sensory deprivation sounded like a panic attack waiting to happen. —Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 27 Aug. 2025

Psychedelic use can induce acute anxiety, cause panic attacks or lead to paranoia. —Pardis Mahdavi, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2025

Posters on Reddit and TikTok have also reported homelessness, job loss, rehab stints, debt, seizures, panic attacks, physical harm, hospitalization and selling of expensive belongings to afford more of the tonic. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 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