panic attack
noun
plural panic attacks
: a sudden feeling or episode of panic
specifically
: a brief episode of intense fear or dread that is of sudden onset and typically subsides within 30 minutes, usually occurs for no apparent reason but may sometimes be associated with an identifiable triggering stimulus (such as an existing phobia), and is accompanied by a sense of unreality and impending loss of control and by various debilitating physical symptoms (such as increased heart rate, chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath)
Those undergoing a panic attack often believe they are suffering a heart attack or some other illness. —
Lillian Lee Kim
Lillian Lee Kim Agoraphobia is a fear only of fear itself, that is, of any situation where help would be unavailable and escape difficult in case of a panic attack. —The Harvard Mental Health Letter
compare anxiety attack
The Harvard Mental Health Letter Examples of panic attack in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Love, a power forward for the Miami Heat, experienced a public panic attack during a game and since then has been open about his challenges with anxiety.
—Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 15 Oct. 2024
The man claims that the experience affected his mental health, triggering his PTSD from his military service and causing panic attacks and anxiety.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 Oct. 2024
Damn! Maggie leaves the barn to have a panic attack, and Donald talks her through it, which is nice.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
The memory of Christopher is enough to send Victor into a full panic attack.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for panic attack 
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Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 15 Oct. 2024
The man claims that the experience affected his mental health, triggering his PTSD from his military service and causing panic attacks and anxiety.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 Oct. 2024
Damn! Maggie leaves the barn to have a panic attack, and Donald talks her through it, which is nice.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
The memory of Christopher is enough to send Victor into a full panic attack.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for panic attack
Dictionary Entries Near panic attack
Cite this Entry
“Panic attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panic%20attack. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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