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

What costume elicited the most intense panic attack? —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024

Upon seeing a gun in a drawer, Mel has a panic attack. —Erica Thompson, TVLine, 20 Oct. 2024

But his day-to-day life is interrupted in a way that forces Jimmy to face his old demons, much like Ted’s panic attacks interrupted his life and forced him to seek help. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2024

In 2019, Eilish opened up about experiencing debilitating panic attacks before her When We All Fall Asleep tour, and detailed how depression had led to self-harm and thoughts of suicide early in her teens. —Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 8 Oct. 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