A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that escalates within minutes. The symptoms of panic attacks include palpitations, pounding heart or accelerated heart rate.

People who suffer panic attacks may also experience sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, or feelings of choking. It is also common to have chest pain or discomfort and light-headedness.

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The list of symptoms is a very long one and may imitate the symptoms of far more deadly physical and mental ailments. Some of the symptoms even resemble those of anxiety disorder or depression. The two might even be related.

However, what differentiates anxiety symptoms from a panic attack from other anxiety symptoms is the intensity and duration of the symptoms.

Panic attacks typically reach their highest level of intensity in 10 minutes or less and then begin to subside. The intensity of the symptoms tends to mimic those of heart disease, thyroid problems, breathing disorders and other illnesses.

People with panic disorder often make many visits to emergency rooms or doctors’ offices, convinced they have a life-threatening issue. Others may keep it a secret for fear of being labelled hypochondriacs.

Panic attacks can occur unexpectedly during a calm state or in an anxious state.

Although panic attacks are a defining characteristic of panic disorder, it is not uncommon for individuals to experience them in the context of other psychological disorders. For example, someone with a social anxiety disorder might have an attack before giving a talk at a conference. Someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder might have an attack when prevented from engaging in a ritual or compulsion.

Panic attacks are extremely unpleasant and can be very frightening. As a result, people who experience it often become very worried about having another attack and may make changes to their lifestyle so as to avoid having them.

For example, they avoid exercise so as to keep their heart rate low, or avoiding certain places. They may also avoid substances that excite, like alcohol, drugs or even sugar.

A lot of people suffer in silence and distance themselves from people who could be helpful. Other people suffering from panic attacks don’t know they have a real and highly treatable disorder.

Hopefully, through increased education, people will feel more empowered to discuss their symptoms with a healthcare professional and seek appropriate treatment.

For more on mental health, check out this article.