PANIC ATTACK

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does panic attack mean? 

• PANIC ATTACK (noun)
  The noun PANIC ATTACK has 1 sense:

1. a sudden attack of fear

  Familiarity information: PANIC ATTACK used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PANIC ATTACK (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A sudden attack of fear

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Synonyms:

panic attack; scare

Hypernyms ("panic attack" is a kind of...):

fear; fearfulness; fright (an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight))

 Context examples 

A type of anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected panic attacks that last minutes or, rarely, hours.

(Panic Disorder, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

It causes panic attacks, which are sudden feelings of terror when there is no real danger.

(Panic Disorder, NIH: National Institute of Mental Health)

A disorder in which an individual experiences recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about having additional panic attacks.

(Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia, NCI Thesaurus)

An anxiety disorder characterized by multiple unexpected panic attacks with persistent concern of recurring attacks.

(Panic Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)

A drug used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks.

(Alprazolam, NCI Dictionary)

The new finding suggests a critical role for an overactive orexin system in producing panic attacks.

(The Mechanism of Panic Attacks, NIH, US)

People with agoraphobia are usually very anxious about having a panic attack in a public place.

(Agoraphobia, NCI Dictionary)

An anxiety disorder characterized by agoraphobia in the absence of a history of panic attacks; the individual fears incapacitation or humiliation in open, public places or situations due to panic-like symptoms rather than a full-blown panic attack.

(Agoraphobia without a History of Panic Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)

Panic attacks can happen anytime, anywhere, and without warning.

(Panic Disorder, NIH: National Institute of Mental Health)

Panic attacks begin with intense apprehension, fear or terror and, often, a feeling of impending doom.

(Panic Disorder, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)