Panic Attacks
A panic attack is when a person randomly experiences an emotion of intense fear or anxiety, despite there being no real danger around. It can cause scary physical symptoms like chest pain, heart racing, or shortness of breath. While it isn’t life threatening, it can be overwhelming and impact daily life.
Symptoms
Small clues, big meaning.
What You Might Feel:
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Chest pain
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Heart racing
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Difficulty breathing
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Sweating nausea
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Shaking
What You Might Notice Emotionally:
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Sense of impending doom/danger
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Feeling loss of control
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Feeling detached
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derealization
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During a panic attack, your brain thinks something really bad is happening even when it is not. This causes your body to start panicking making you feel scared, out of control, or believe that things around you aren’t real.
Did You Know?
Panic Attacks Quick Facts
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Panic attacks can be triggered by something scary or can happen randomly
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Having a panic attack may make you feel as if you have a serious problem
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about 1 in 10 adults have a panic attack each year
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Panic attacks can happen when you are sleeping
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Panic attacks can be treated
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Panic attacks can cause a fight or flight mode