A panic attack is a rapid onset of an episode of intense fear accompanied by numerous physical symptoms, usually lasing for approximately 10 minutes from onset to ending.

Common Symptoms:

• Feelings of danger or a life threatening event
• An intense need to flee the situation
• Fear of dying or going crazy
• Rapid heart beat
• Nausea
• Tingling in hands and feet
• Feeling light-headed or dizzy
• Feelings of being detached
• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision
• Trembling
• Chills or hot flashes
• Lump in the throat
• Tightness in the chest

Panic attacks often come on "out of the blue" or unexpectedly with little or no warning. Other times, panic attacks are associated with confronting a situation that is associated with fear or anxiety.