What is A Panic Attack? by Cyndi Sarnoff-Ross/Marriage and Family Therapist: at DailyStrength Doctors and Experts

Cyndi Sarnoff-Ross is a licensed psychotherapist with almost twenty years of clinical experience in the fields of clinical psychology and organizational management br br She has worked extensively with a wide variety of…

More About Me >>

FAST FACTS

What is A Panic Attack?

Posted in Anxiety by Cyndi Sarnoff-Ross on Jul 09, 2008

There was some confusion from my last post about the difference between Panic Disorder and a Panic Attack so I wanted to take a moment to clarify the distinction between the two. It is possible to have a Panic Attack without having a diagnosis of Panic Disorder. Panic Attacks are a symptom of another mental health diagnosis such as Panic Disorder, Social Phobia, Specific Phobia, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or Acute Stress Disorder.

The attack itself can also be an isolated incident or recur a few times throughout a person's life without warranting an actual diagnosis. The experience is, as I mentioned in my last post, a horrible feeling and is marked by 13 specific somatic (physical - relating to the body) symptoms of which the individual must have 4 in order for the experience to qualify as a Panic Attack. The symptoms, as stated in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) are as follows:

1. Palpitations.

2. Sweating.

3. Trembling or shaking.

4. Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering.

5. Feeling of choking.

6. Chest pain or discomfort.

7. Nausea or abdominal distress.

8. Dizziness or lightheadedness.

9. Derealization ( feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself).

10. Fear of losing control or "going crazy".

11. Fear of dying.

12. Numbness or tingling.

13. Chills or hot flushes.

The DSM lists these symptoms but is very clear that a Panic Attack is not a specific disorder. Many people may experience a Panic Attack at some stressful point in their lives. Being stuck in an elevator is a common circumstance that brings on this event. But having an attack may be an isolated incident. If the frequency or severity of the attacks increases or fear of having another attack is disrupting one's life then it may rise to the level of warranting a diagnosis.

Previous: What is Panic Disorder?

: The Christie Brinkley Divorce Debacle

CATEGORIES: News

CONDITIONS AND COMMUNITIES: Anxiety • Anxiety Disorders in Children • Bipolar Disorder • Depression • Depression - Teen • Depression Supporters • Family Issues • Panic Attacks • Phobia • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

TAGS:

Displaying comments 18-1 of 18

A panic attack is a response of the sympathetic nervous system. The panic attack is distinguished from other forms of anxiety by its intensity and its sudden, episodic nature.
Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar Patients, Bipolar Symptoms, Bipolar Community, Manic-Depressive, Mania, Mood Swings, Mood Stabilizers, Mental Health Evaluations, Episodes

By iMedix Nov 25, 2008

My doctor is treating me for anxiety and panic attacks, depresion and skitts but refuses to provide a writen diag.
If i dont have a minum of 2 attacks daily then that would be abnormal for me. ya its like going though at least 2 heart attacks daily and someone blocking off oxy while trying to keep from fainting and having hotflahes to boot. Granted my Dr for what ever reason maybe protecting his butt from state but i need the funds that i pd into SS,now.

Thanks for info and allowing me to exspress myself.

By Admiral Jul 20, 2008

I haven't had any panic attacks, but one of my cousins has...I tend to get over-wrought and internalize things.
Right now I am taking Xanax, 1/2mg 2x a day as needed.

By nutjob1961 Jul 18, 2008

What is Acute Stress Disorder? Those 3 short words sound like what I go through every time I experience stressful events.

By themctier Jul 17, 2008

This is very interesting as the criteria are generally constant as symptoms of PTSD. Definitely an unpleasant feeling to say the least.

I know that some of these very same symptoms are associated with cortisol. I wonder if the panic attack is therefore related to changes in cortisol levels in the body?

By Brillante Jul 16, 2008

I've been onPaxil now for a long time and still i get the occassional attak. I'd like to know more about positive thinking and cognitive therapy and just get offthe drugs. Can anyone help?

By jackson101 Jul 14, 2008

I used to think I was having a panic attack at work (getting hot all of a sudden, sweating, lightheaded, feeling like I was dizzy and that I might pass out) and one day it was so bad I went to the nurse at work. I actually was planning to tell the truth and say that I was probably having a PA, but the nurse took my blood pressure and said it was sky high. I got diagnosed with very high BP, and ever since I went on meds, I feel better. Hope this helps.

By Mella8504 Jul 14, 2008

When I have what feels like a panic attack I feel like running I feel like someones going to attack me It happens in the elevator waiting rooms crowded confined spaces I can't sit still and have to leave the area is this a panic attack or something else.

By monjet13 Jul 12, 2008

THANK YOU FOR CLEARING THIS UP,FOR I HAVE PANIC ATTACKS.MY FIRST ONE I THOUGHT I WAS DYING,AND THIS WAS AS REAL AS IF I WERE.I WENT 10 YEAERS,ONLY HAVING THEM EVERY SO OFTEN,TO HAVING THEM ALMOST EVERYDAY.I WENT TO A DOCTOR FOR A FULL CHECKUP,AND HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH ME.SO HE SENT ME TO A DOCTOR WHO IS A SPECIALIST IN PANIC ATTACKS.I HAVE COME A LONG WAY,BY NOT HAVING THEM IN A LONG WHILE.I GIVE GOD THE CREDIT FOR A LOT OF MY NOT HAVING ONE,PLUS MY DOCTOR AND DAILY STRENGTH.THIS SITE HAS BEEN SO VERY GOOD FOR ME AND I KNOW FOR OTHERS ALSO.YOU ALL DO A WONDERFUL JOB HERE.I STILL HAVE PANIC ATTACKS WHEN I HAVE TO DRIVE ALONE,AND I DO NOT DRIVE ALONE.I LIVE OUT IN A RUAL AREA,AND ITS HARD FOR ME TO DRIVE THE LONELY ROADS BY MYSEFT.I AM TRYING THOUGH,I HAVE GOT 2 MILES DOWN,WITH OUT ANY HELP.I WILL KEEP TRYING,I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE BY MYSEFT.I HAVE HAD THE 4 PLUS THINGS YOU HAVE LISTED.THANK YOU AGAIN,GOD BLESS AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.

By shea Jul 11, 2008

I have read that there are panic attacks that can go as far as to mimic epileptic seizures. I have had epileptic seizures--confirmed by injury to brain--for years. I hadn't had one in two years, but in the last few months I've been to the ER. 2x for ep, but the third time it kept happening all night. It was diagnosed as panic attacks (every time I went to leave the hospital it happened) although no neuro exam was done other than the cursory question and answer exam about date, location, etc. Anyone else have this experience, too? Please send me a msg.

By AdamG Jul 11, 2008

I've had several of these, thought not as bad for the last year. I usually get hit with a panic attack when I'm headed out somewhere where I will be in a large crowd. I s'pose I just don't like being around big groups of people....

By Jaydess Jul 11, 2008

Responce 5 is not entirely accurate.

By ParagonOpus1 Jul 10, 2008

In response to your comment sweeties - you cannot die from a Panic Attack alone. It is always good to rule out the possibility of anything medical (ie. heart issues) but if your symptoms are actually from panic then they are not fatal on their own. Make sure to pull over and stop the car if you have one while driving though.

By CSR Jul 10, 2008

I been having these attacks quite aften now. Has anyone ever died from having an panic attack?

By sweetlies Jul 10, 2008

This is helpful, thank you.

By GoldfishCM Jul 09, 2008

Thanks for this list, I never could confirm if I was actually having panic attacks, my friend says that i do but i wasn't sure.

By ketchuppacket8 Jul 09, 2008

thank you for listing this, i have had 2 panic attacks in the past 6 months, and I wasnt sure if that was what to call them.

By Sara017 Jul 09, 2008

Got a Question?