What is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is essentially a very extreme, acute feeling of anxiety that usually lasts between 5 and 30 minutes.
Many of us will have experienced a panic attack at some point in our lives or will know somebody who has experienced them. People may experience them frequently, in which case they may be diagnosed with ‘panic disorder’ but people can also experience them just once or twice in their lifetimes.
Panic attacks are accompanied by a number of physical symptoms which can in themselves be very distressing, and lead to further anxiety and panic, creating a vicious cycle.
For example, somebody having a panic attack might notice that their heart feels as though it is racing. This can then lead them to worry that they are having a heart attack, creating more anxiety about their health and catastrophic thoughts about what is happening to them. This essentially maintains those feelings of panic and fear.