Anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks, are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort that can occur without any warning or obvious trigger. During an anxiety attack, a person may experience a range of physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms, including:
- Racing heartbeat
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Feelings of unreality or detachment
- Fear of losing control or going crazy
- Fear of dying
Anxiety attacks typically last for several minutes but can feel much longer. They can be extremely distressing and disruptive to a person’s daily life. If someone experiences recurrent anxiety attacks or experiences significant impairment as a result of anxiety, they may have an anxiety disorder and should seek professional help.
