SYMPTOMS & QUICK FACTS: Panic Attacks

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.

See Symptoms

Symptoms

Small clues, big meaning.

What You Might Feel:

Chest pain
Heart racing
Difficulty breathing
Sweating nausea
Shaking

What You Might Notice Emotionally:

Sense of impending doom/danger
Feeling loss of control
Feeling detached
derealization

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

Panic attacks can be triggered by something scary or can happen randomly
Having a panic attack may make you feel as if you have a serious problem
about 1 in 10 adults have a panic attack each year
Panic attacks can happen when you are sleeping
Panic attacks can be treated
Panic attacks can cause a fight or flight mode

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