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National Institute of Mental Health

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National Institute of Mental Health

Panic Disorder

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A PANIC ATTACK?

As described above, the symptoms of a panic attack appear suddenly, without any apparent cause. They may include:

Racing or pounding heartbeat
Chest pains
Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea
Difficulty breathing
Tingling or numbness in the hands
Flushes or chills
Dreamlike sensations or perceptual distortions
Terror—a sense that something unimaginably horrible is about to occur and one is powerless to prevent it
Fear of losing control and doing something embarrassing
Fear of dying

A panic attack typically lasts for several minutes and is one of the most distressing conditions that a person can experience. Most who have one attack will have others. When someone has repeated attacks, or feels severe anxiety about having another attack, he or she is said to have panic disorder.

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