Font Size
A
A
A

Panic Attacks (cont.)

Medical Author:
Medical Editor:

Panic Attacks Symptoms

  • The American Psychiatric Association's official Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV, Treatment Revision (DSM-IV-TR) defines a panic attack as a discrete period of intense fear, distress, nervousness or discomfort, in which four (or more) of the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes:


    • Palpitations, pounding heart, or fast heart rate


    • Sweating


    • Trembling and shaking


    • Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering


    • Feelings of choking


    • Chest pain or discomfort


    • Nausea or abdominal distress


    • Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint


    • Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)


    • Fear of losing control or going crazy


    • Fear of dying


    • Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)


    • Chills or hot flashes
  • Some of these symptoms will most likely be present in a panic attack. The attacks can be so disabling that the person is unable to express to others what is happening to them. A doctor might also note various signs of panic: The person may appear to be very afraid or shaky or be hyperventilating (deep, rapid breathing that causes dizziness).

    Anxiety attacks that take place while sleeping, also called nocturnal panic attacks, occur less often than do panic attacks during the daytime, but affect about 40%-70% of people who suffer from daytime panic attacks. Individuals with nocturnal panic attacks tend to have more respiratory symptoms associated with panic and have more symptoms of depression and of other psychiatric disorders compared to people who do not have panic attacks at night. Nocturnal panic attacks tend to result in sufferers waking suddenly from sleep in a state of sudden fright or dread for no known reason. As opposed to people with sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, sufferers of nocturnal panic can have all the other symptoms of a panic attack. Although nocturnal panic attacks usually last no more than 10 minutes, it can take much longer for the person to fully recover from the episode.


  • Recent literature suggests that men and women may experience different symptoms during an attack. Women tend to experience a predominance of respiratory symptoms compared to men.

Viewer Comments & Reviews

Panic Attack - Symptoms

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

What are your panic attack symptoms?

Panic Attacks - Effective Treatments

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

What kinds of treatments have been effective for your panic attacks?

Emotional Wellness

Get tips on therapy and treatment.

Please acknowledge your agreement



Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Panic Disorder »

Panic disorder is characterized by the spontaneous and unexpected occurrence of panic attacks, the frequency of which can vary from several attacks a day to only a few attacks a year.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

Medical Dictionary


Use Pill Finder Find it Now

Pill Identifier on RxList

  • quick,
    easy,
    pill identification

Find a Local Pharmacy

  • including
    24 hour
    pharmacies