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

Being in charge of following up the beloved 2015 Oscar winner would give anyone a panic attack. —Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 12 June 2024

Bon is on the verge of a panic attack, staring at an old picture of his dead wife and child, and the Captain looks stricken with fear. —Terry Nguyen, Vulture, 19 May 2024

Maliszewski, 42, was terminated from his job in December, after suffering from panic attacks, insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from the Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park. —Chloe Hilles, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2024

Nearly all of the soldiers interviewed for this article never saw combat, but they were nonetheless haunted by nightmares, anxiety, panic attacks and other symptoms usually attributed to post-traumatic stress disorder. —Dave Philipps, New York Times, 2 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

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