Panic Attacks

Panic attacks can affect the body, mind, and emotions. Common physical symptoms include:

• Racing or pounding heartbeat
• Sweating
• Chills or hot flashes
• Trembling or shaking
• Shortness of breath or hyperventilation
• Weakness or dizziness
• Tingling or numbness in the hands
• Chest discomfort
• Stomach upset or nausea

Mental and emotional symptomsinclude:

• Intense anxiety, fear, or dread
• Overwhelming worry
• Feeling out of control
• Urge to escape the situation

Women are more likely than men to experience panic attacks or panic disorder. Women may also report:

• Shortness of breath
• Choking sensation or difficulty swallowing
• Feeling faint or lightheaded

Panic attacks can occur during sleep, sometimes waking you suddenly. Symptoms are similar to daytime attacks and may include:

• Sweating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Trembling
• Shortness of breath
• Hyperventilation
• Flushing or chills
• Sense of impending doom

Some symptoms overlap between panic attacks and heart attacks, such as chest pain. Seek immediate medical attention if you are unsure.

Shared symptoms:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea

Key difference:

• Heart attack: Symptoms usually develop gradually and worsen over time.
• Panic attack: Symptoms start suddenly, peak quickly, and usually subside within minutes.

Both anxiety and panic attacks share symptoms like:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Chest discomfort

Panic attacks:

• Come on suddenly and peak within minutes
• Include intense physical symptoms
• May trigger fear of dying or losing control
• Typically short-lived (minutes to an hour)
• Can occur without an obvious trigger

Anxiety attacks:

• Develop gradually
• Cause general unease or tension
• Have milder physical symptoms
• Often linked to specific events or situations
• Can last hours, days, or even weeks

Panic attacks are not life-threatening. Some symptoms overlap with serious health conditions, so seek medical attention if unsure.

Passing out is rare but possible due to hyperventilation or dizziness. Feeling faint is common but typically not dangerous.

There’s no guaranteed way to prevent panic attacks, but treatment can lower the risk. Following prescribed therapy or medications helps manage symptoms and reduce frequency.

After a panic attack, adrenaline levels drop, leaving many people feeling exhausted, weak, or sore—a phenomenon sometimes called a “panic hangover.”

Post-attack symptoms may include:

• Fatigue and lethargy
• Muscle aches or soreness
• Trembling or shaking
• Sweating or chills
• Chest discomfort
• Racing heartbeat
• Nausea or stomach upset
• Dizziness

Yes! Telehealth providers allow you to consult with licensed medical professionals from anywhere. Prescribed medications can be shipped across all 50 states.

You cannot fully prevent a panic attack, but professional treatment can reduce frequency.

• Recognize early signs and respond calmly
• Practice deep, slow breathing
• Use positive self-talk (“I am safe, this will pass”)
• Apply H.A.L.T.—check if you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired
• Therapy and prescribed medications can also reduce attack severity

• Rest and relax
• Talk to someone you trust
• Engage in light exercise
• Eat nutritious foods
• Change your environment or take a short walk

Medication can help both short-term and long-term management of panic attacks:

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors):

• Fluoxetine (Prozac®)
• Paroxetine (Paxil®)
• Sertraline (Zoloft®)

SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors):

• Venlafaxine (Effexor XR®)

Benzodiazepines:

• Alprazolam (Xanax®)
• Clonazepam (Klonopin®)

Other options:

• Anxiolytics: Buspirone (BuSpar®)
• Antihistamines: Hydroxyzine (Atarax®)