A panic attack is a rush of intense anxiety and physical symptoms. They can be frightening and happen suddenly, often for no clear reason. If you are having a panic attack you may experience:
- what feels like an irregular or racing heartbeat (palpitations)
- sweating
- trembling
- shortness of breath (hyperventilation)
- a choking sensation
- nausea
- dizziness
- tingling fingers
- ringing in your ears
Each panic attack tends to surge to a peak within 10 minutes of starting, and can occur out of the blue or in response to a specific situation.
More about panic attacks
A panic attack can make you feel like you’re about to collapse or even die, but it's usually harmless. However, in some cases, you may need medical advice to rule out an underlying physical cause.
Panic attacks often cause individuals to avoid certain situations, or alternatively to use things to help them through those situations such as always carrying medication, food or water, or always taking someone else with them. Some individuals may develop a fear and avoidance of leaving home; entering shops; crowds and public places; or traveling alone on public transport.
Prior to clients being recommended for psychological therapy, panic disorder needs to be medically investigated by the person’s GP. This is to rule out any physical health conditions that could be causing the physical symptoms associated with the panic attacks.
