A panic attack is a sudden, intense period of anxiety in which a person experiences a rapidly rising feeling of intense fear or discomfort together with physical symptoms. It usually reaches its peak within minutes and subsides in a short time; a single attack on its own does not mean a mental disorder.
What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is an intense feeling of fear or discomfort that often begins unexpectedly and can peak within minutes. The NHS describes panic as “the most severe form of anxiety.” Although these symptoms can be very distressing, a panic attack is not a diagnosis in itself; it can also occur as part of different psychological difficulties.
Which symptoms can occur during a panic attack?
According to the NHS and NIMH, symptoms can include the following:
- Physical symptoms: a pounding or racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath or a choking feeling, chest pain, dizziness, nausea, numbness or tingling, hot flushes or chills.
- Emotional and mental symptoms: fear of dying or a sense of impending doom, fear of losing control, feeling disconnected from one’s body.
The public-facing text of the Turkish Psychiatric Association lists 13 symptoms when describing an attack and refers to at least four of them occurring together. This list is not a diagnostic tool; not every symptom has to occur in every person, and most of these symptoms can also occur in other health conditions (NHS).
How long does a panic attack last, and is it dangerous?
According to the NHS, most panic attacks last between 5 and 20 minutes, and some can last up to an hour; the Turkish Psychiatric Association states that most last 10 to 30 minutes. The NHS notes that panic attacks, although frightening, are not dangerous and do not cause physical harm, and the Turkish Psychiatric Association emphasizes that panic disorder does not lead to death, losing one’s mind or paralysis.
Even so, because the same symptoms can occur in some physical health conditions, an evaluation by a physician may be appropriate, especially if the symptoms are experienced for the first time.
Can a panic attack be mistaken for a heart attack?
Because a racing heart, chest pain and shortness of breath can resemble a heart attack, some people go to an emergency room during an attack believing they are having a heart attack (American Psychiatric Association, APA). It may not be reliable for a person to make this distinction alone; telling the two apart is a physician’s job.
The NHS advises calling for emergency help when there is tight or squeezing chest pain. In Turkey, emergency calls are handled through the 112 Emergency Call Center (Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health); because chest pain may be heart-related, in cases of doubt it is recommended to contact 112 without waiting or to go to the nearest emergency department.
How can a panic attack arise?
A panic attack can occur during periods of intense stress, after prolonged anxiety, in particular settings, or without any noticeable cause. The NHS states that the exact cause is not fully understood and that very stressful life events (for example, the loss of a loved one) and having a close family member with panic disorder may be associated with it.
After an attack, a person may stay on guard for fear of having another, monitor bodily sensations closely, and begin avoiding places or situations where the attack occurred. The NHS describes this cycle as living “in fear of fear”; staying on guard and avoidance can contribute to anxiety continuing.
Are a panic attack and panic disorder the same thing?
No. According to NIMH, a panic attack is a one-time or occasional episode of fear; in panic disorder, attacks recur, come unexpectedly, and the fear of further attacks continues.
| Criterion | Panic attack | Panic disorder |
|---|---|---|
| Occurrence | One-time or occasional | Recurrent, unexpected attacks |
| After the attack | Ongoing worry is not required | Fear of new attacks and behavior changes such as avoidance continue |
| Meaning | Not a diagnosis by itself | Requires a professional evaluation |
According to the NHS, the diagnostic process considers regular, unexpected attacks followed by at least a month of continuous worry. The Turkish Psychiatric Association states that roughly 3 to 4 in every 100 people in the population have experienced or currently experience panic disorder.
What can help during a panic attack and between attacks?
The NHS lists the following for the time of an attack: staying where you are if possible, breathing slowly and deeply, reminding yourself that the attack will pass and is not life threatening, and focusing on calming images. Between attacks, the NHS lists self-help books based on cognitive behavioral principles, activities such as yoga and pilates, breathing exercises and regular exercise, and also recommends avoiding sugary food and drinks, caffeine and alcohol and stopping smoking.
These are general information; they are not personal medical advice, may not be equally helpful for everyone, and do not replace psychotherapy or a physician’s evaluation. Medication is a matter for a psychiatrist’s evaluation.
How is a panic attack addressed in psychotherapy?
In psychotherapy, the first step is usually to understand together when, under what conditions and how the attacks occur. NIMH describes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the “gold standard” in psychotherapy and notes that it is commonly used for panic disorder.
CBT looks at how bodily sensations are interpreted (the Turkish Psychiatric Association lists mistaking harmless symptoms for a serious illness as one explanation), how these interpretations can increase anxiety, and how avoidance keeps the process going. According to the NHS, the therapist may discuss how the person reacts during an attack and can teach behavior changes that help them stay calm; NIMH reports that exposure is a CBT method and can be combined with relaxation or breathing techniques.
In the dynamic approach, attacks are understood within the person’s emotional context and relational patterns. For more on the approaches, see What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? and What Is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy?
When can psychological support be considered?
Psychological support can be considered if attacks become more frequent, if the fear of another attack limits daily life, or if the person begins to avoid certain places or situations. An evaluation by a physician is also important when symptoms occur for the first time. For the general framework, see When can psychological support be considered?; for how a first session may proceed, see What is covered in the first session?
In cases of chest pain, or if the person has thoughts of self-harm or faces immediate danger, contacting the 112 Emergency Call Center or going to the nearest emergency department is recommended; whenever possible, it is important that the person is not left alone and tells someone they trust what they are experiencing. This article is not a substitute for emergency support.
Common misconceptions about panic attacks
- “A person who has a panic attack loses their mind.” The Turkish Psychiatric Association states that panic disorder does not lead to death, losing one’s mind or paralysis.
- “Everyone who has one attack develops panic disorder.” NIMH distinguishes a one-time or occasional attack from panic disorder.
- “Staying away from the places where an attack occurred solves the problem.” The NHS notes that avoidance can turn into a cycle of living “in fear of fear.”
Expert note
A panic attack can become easier to understand when bodily sensations, the meaning attached to them and the behaviors that follow the attack are considered together. The same physical sign may pass as a brief discomfort for one person and turn into intense fear for another, through the thought “something serious is happening.”
From a perspective that draws on cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic theories, thoughts, emotions, behaviors and relational patterns are evaluated together. The information in this article does not replace an evaluation.
Clinical Psychologist Özgün Emre Yaylacı
Frequently asked questions
Is a panic attack dangerous?
According to the NHS, a panic attack, although frightening, is not dangerous and does not cause physical harm. Because the symptoms can occur in other health conditions, an evaluation by a physician may be appropriate, especially if it is experienced for the first time.
Can a panic attack be mistaken for a heart attack?
Because a racing heart, chest pain and shortness of breath can resemble a heart attack, some people go to an emergency room (APA). In cases of doubt, contacting 112 or going to the nearest emergency department is recommended; telling the two apart is a physician’s job.
How long does a panic attack last?
An attack often peaks within minutes and usually subsides after a short time; the NHS states that most last 5 to 20 minutes and the Turkish Psychiatric Association 10 to 30 minutes. However, afterward the person may feel tired and on guard for a while.
What is the difference between a panic attack and anxiety?
Anxiety can be longer-lasting and vary in intensity, whereas a panic attack is a reaction that starts suddenly and intensifies quickly. For broader information on anxiety, see Anxiety, Stress and Emotion Regulation Difficulties; for anxiety that centers on social settings, see What Is Social Anxiety?
Can panic attacks be addressed in psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy can be used with people who experience panic attacks. The suitability of a psychotherapeutic approach is determined by the person’s needs, reason for seeking help and clinical evaluation.
Sources
This article is prepared for general information purposes; the following sources were used in preparing it (mostly in English; Turkish-language sources are marked):
- NHS (UK National Health Service): Panic disorder
- NIMH (US National Institute of Mental Health): Panic Disorder: What You Need to Know
- APA (American Psychiatric Association): What Are Anxiety Disorders?
- Turkish Psychiatric Association: Panic Disorder (in Turkish)
- NHS: Heart attack
- Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health: New Generation Emergency Call Center, 112 Single Call System (in Turkish)
This article was prepared by Clinical Psychologist Özgün Emre Yaylacı. Last updated: October 23, 2026. The content is for general information only and does not constitute diagnosis, treatment or personal guidance.
