A panic attack is a sudden rush of fear that happens with intense physical sensations, a strong urge to escape or get away from the situation and a sense that something really bad is about to happen.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, a panic attack is characterized by four or more of the following symptoms:
- Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
- A feeling of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
- Feelings of unreality or being detached from oneself
- Fear of losing control or going crazy
- Fear of dying
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Chills or hot flushes
It can often be the case that a panic attack can strike out of nowhere or unexpectedly without any obvious trigger. This aspect can significantly increase the scariness of panic attacks because it can be hard to make sense of them or predict them in the future. While stressful times can certainly increase the chance of having one, they can still show up during periods of calm or even in sleep.
Panic attacks are more common than you might realize. Research indicates they somewhere between 10 – 33% of people experience at least one per year.