Panic attacks refer to the experience of intense fear or discomfort where four or more of the following are felt:
- pounding heart or increased heart rate
- sweating
- trembling/shaking
- feeling as though you are being smothered or having difficulty breathing
- choking
- chest pain/discomfort
- nausea or abdominal pains and/or discomfort
- feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faint
- feeling as though things around you are unreal or feeling detached from yourself
- feeling as though you are going to lose control or go crazy
- fear of dying
- numbness or tingling in extremities
- chills or hot flashes
Although the DSM-IV says that 4 or more of the above symptoms must be felt, sometimes a person can have a panic attack that is accompanied by three or less of the above symptoms. This is sometimes referred to as a limited symptom panic attack.
In addition, panic attacks can be cued or uncued. Cued panic attacks are those that occur following exposure to some kind of trigger, such as a very frightening experience or thought. For example, someone who is scared of public speaking may have a panic attack when placed in front of an audience.
An uncued panic attack (or a spontaneous or unexpected panic attack) is one that occurs “out of the blue” and is the defining feature of panic disorder.
Panic attacks are actually quite common. In fact, as many as 12% of people may experience a panic attack at some point in their lifetime.
You can learn more about panic attacks at the About.com site for panic disorder.
Sources:
American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Telch, M. J., Lucas, J. A., & Nelson, P. (1989). Nonclinical panic in college students: An investigation of prevalence and symptomatology. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 98, 300-306.
