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

Action is character, and this is a character study paced somewhere between observant and Safdie-level panic attack. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2026

Even when researchers saw an uptick in panic attacks amongst both groups at the follow-up, those from the sprinting group still experienced fewer attacks. —Maggie O'Neill, Outside, 21 Mar. 2026

Triggering can cause a host of mental health issues, including flashbacks to one's own trauma, panic attacks and feelings of helplessness, Sarkis previously told USA TODAY. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026

Two survivors say they were raped as children and endured decades of depression, panic attacks and substance abuse while protecting Chavez’s legacy through silence. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

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