panic attack

noun

Definition of panic attack

: an episode of intense fear or apprehension that is of sudden onset

Examples of panic attack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Everyone on the internet had a minor panic attack after seeing the photo of a Mazda that had been overtaken by bugs in Mark Johnson's Facebook post. — Tainaya Nash, House Beautiful, "Here's How to Deal with the Mayfly Swarm," 2 July 2019 In August last year, Zaghari-Ratcliffe was treated in hospital after suffering panic attacks, her husband said. — Bianca Britton, CNN, "Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe ends her two-week hunger strike in Iran," 29 June 2019 Her behavior, a pendulum between panic attacks and fragility. — Elena Nicolaou, refinery29.com, "What's The Deal With Commander Lawrence's Wife In The Handmaid's Tale?," 20 June 2019 Now the onetime bullying victim is a second grader suffering panic attacks over global warming. — Darren Franich, EW.com, "Big Little Lies season 2 is brilliantly acted and all over the place: EW review," 5 June 2019 Another plaintiff in the suit, Megan McFadden, also had been diagnosed with chronic depression and anxiety, including panic attacks. — Kathleen Foody, The Denver Post, "Colorado lawsuit over companion animals settles for $1M," 4 June 2019 But subsequent panic attacks forced her to get back on the medication. — Ashley Mateo, Glamour, "Women Are Ditching Their Antidepressants at Higher Rates Than Men—The Reasons Are Complicated," 20 June 2019 Following the March panic attack, Lehner went to rehab. — Helen Murphy, PEOPLE.com, "Robin Lehner Receives NHL Award, Says 'I'm Mentally Ill, but That Doesn't Mean I'm Mentally Weak'," 20 June 2019 Scenes from the pilot episode were actually filmed inside of the home, mainly in the kitchen area, pool, and back patio (where Tony Soprano famously swam with ducks and had a panic attack). — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "The Famous Home From The Sopranos Could Be Yours for $3.4 Million," 4 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'panic attack.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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16 Jul 2019

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The first known use of panic attack was in 1966

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panic attack

noun

Medical Definition of panic attack

: 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