What Is A Panic Attack?

Medically reviewed by Melissa Guarnaccia
Updated March 18, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team
Content warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention substance use-related topics that could be triggering to the reader. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Support is available 24/7. Please see our Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.

Having a panic attack can happen to anyone and may be a frightening experience, so much so that an individual may develop a fear of having another that qualifies as its own mental health disorder. While panic attacks can disrupt and negatively impact a person’s quality of life, they are generally considered to be treatable. Read on to learn more about what a panic attack feels like, when the experience qualifies as panic disorder, and what treatment options are available. 

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Experiencing panic attacks can be alarming

What is a panic attack?

Each year, approximately 11% of Americans experience a panic attack and 2–3% of them will develop panic disorder. For many, panic disorder begins in their late teens or early childhood and may recur at unpredictable times, seemingly going away for long periods only to return in certain situations.

Panic disorder refers to recurring panic attacks along with a serious and sometimes debilitating fear of experiencing another. 

Panic attack symptoms can impact the whole body and include feelings of fear, terror, dread, desperation, or impending doom. These experiences might also be accompanied by physical reactions such as: 

  • Pounding, irregular, or racing heartbeat
  • Erratic breathing or shortness of breath 
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Nausea 
  • Trembling or shaking 
  • Sweating, hot flashes, or chills
  • Pressure, pain, or tightness in the chest or chest pain
  • Tingling or numbness in various parts of the body
  • A choking feeling or a lump in the throat

An individual may also experience the fear of demonstrating other symptoms that are not associated with panic attacks but may feel possible at the time, such as throwing up, having a heart attack, suffocating, or losing control of their actions. Other potential feelings may include a detachment from one’s body, the sensation that life seems unreal, or the urge to flee or escape the situation. To put it another way, a panic attack can be thought of like a “false alarm” that triggers the body’s fight or flight response without the presence of a true external threat.

Most panic attacks typically last 10 to 15 minutes before symptoms begin to taper off. However, the after-effects can last up to several hours and often cause the individual to feel drained. Panic attacks are not life-threatening, despite how it may feel in the middle of one. If left untreated, though, recurring panic attacks or a panic disorder can potentially take a toll on your life physically, mentally, and emotionally. The symptoms may also lead to the development of other mental health issues or disorders or specific phobias, such as agoraphobia, social isolation and depression, or substance use disorder.

What causes panic attacks?

The exact cause of panic attacks and panic disorder is not fully understood. However, they may be linked to a combination of factors, such as: 

  • Having experienced a stressful or traumatic event

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

  • Having a close family relative who experiences panic attacks or has panic disorder 
  • A neurotransmitter imbalance in the brain 

Because the exact cause of panic attacks is unclear and although it may be connected to family history, there’s currently no way to predict when panic attacks occur. This adds another layer of fear and anxiety for some, potentially causing them to avoid places, people, and situations they worry may trigger an attack. For example, if someone had a panic attack while driving, they may avoid getting in a car again for fear of having another attack. There is also a link between alcohol use and anxiety and panic attacks, especially for individuals with alcohol use disorder.

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What is panic disorder?

When panic attacks recur frequently and unexpectedly and interfere with an individual’s daily life or functioning, they may have panic disorder. Another common symptom of panic disorder besides recurring attacks is an intense fear of having another one, since they can come on at any time and cause distressing emotional and physical symptoms. Not everyone who experiences a panic attack will develop this disorder, but it’s estimated to affect around 2.7% of the US population. The fear associated with panic disorder can be enough to cause significant negative impacts on a person’s life, which is why seeking treatment can be important.

How panic attacks and panic disorder are diagnosed

The first step in diagnosing panic attacks or panic disorder is usually to seek medical help and be evaluated by a medical professional. They may conduct a physical health examination to rule out other health or medical conditions that may mimic the symptoms of panic attacks, such as underlying heart or thyroid issues. Seeking an evaluation from a mental health professional is typically the next step after that. They can help you identify whether the symptoms you’ve experienced qualify as a panic attack or something else, and they can recommend treatment options accordingly.

How panic attacks and panic disorder are treated

How to treat panic attacks? The recommended treatment for someone who has experienced one panic attack, multiple panic attacks, or has panic disorder can vary depending on the particulars of their situation. Psychotherapy is one common form of treatment, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of talk therapy focuses on helping the individual learn to recognize and shift flawed or unhelpful thought patterns in order to positively impact feelings and behaviors. A therapist may also offer techniques to help an individual cope with symptoms if they do experience more panic attacks. If symptoms of concurrent disorders such as agoraphobia or substance use issues are also present, the provider can help the individual address these as well. In some cases, medication is also recommended as part of the treatment plan. 

iStock/Kobus Louw
Experiencing panic attacks can be alarming

Online therapy for panic

People who have experienced panic attacks and/or are experiencing symptoms of a panic disorder may have anxiety around entering new or unknown situations that could trigger panic attacks. That’s why some people find virtual treatment methods to be more comfortable. Research suggests that online therapeutic treatments for people with panic disorder—including some individuals who also presented with agoraphobia—can be effective in reducing symptoms. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with virtually from the comfort of your own home, or anywhere else you have an internet connection. An online therapist may offer treatment for stress, anxiety disorders, and may offer strategies to prevent panic attacks. Whether you prefer in-person or online therapy, know that effective treatment for this condition is available.

Takeaway

Though they’re generally not physically dangerous, unexpected panic attacks and even the fear of experiencing one can be frightening and cause significant disruptions to a person’s daily life. Panic attacks and panic disorder are generally treatable with some form of psychotherapy, sometimes in combination with medication.
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