panic attack
Sudden terror surge
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms—racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, chest pain, or a sense of impending doom.
Panic attacks peak within minutes and can occur unexpectedly or be triggered by specific situations.
I had a panic attack on the subway.
The term is sometimes used loosely for any moment of acute anxiety: I'm having a panic attack about this deadline.
Awareness of abnormal heartbeat
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- dizzinessUnsteady, spinning sensation
- chest painDiscomfort in thoracic region
sweating · shortness of breath · numbness · tachycardia · nausea · chills · hot flashes · choking sensation
Extreme, overwhelming fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- depersonalizationDetachment from one's identity
- derealizationPerception that surroundings aren't real
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
loss of control · impending doom · helplessness · dissociation · racing thoughts · confusion · disorientation · unreality
Connecting to earth
- breathing exercisesIntentional respiration patterns
- deep breathingDeliberate slow inhalation practice
- box breathingTimed four-phase respiration
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
meditation · therapy · CBT · exposure therapy · medication · benzodiazepines · SSRIs · beta blockers
Fear of public spaces
- claustrophobiaDread of enclosed areas
- phobiaPersistent irrational dread
- crowdsAssembled multitudes
- enclosed spacesAreas with boundaries
flying · public speaking · trauma · PTSD · flashback · stressor · caffeine · sleep deprivation
State of utter depletion
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- shakinessState of quivering
- reliefEasing of distress
embarrassment · shame · avoidance · recovery · debriefing · journaling · self-compassion · brain fog
Hospital crisis department
- 911Crisis response number
- paramedicsEmergency medical technicians
- ambulanceEmergency medical transport
- triageSeverity-based prioritization
first responders · crisis hotline · urgent care · medical evaluation · intervention · stabilization
palpitations
Awareness of abnormal heartbeat
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- dizzinessUnsteady, spinning sensation
chest pain · sweating · shortness of breath · numbness · tachycardia · nausea · chills · hot flashes · choking sensation · tingling
terror
Extreme, overwhelming fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- depersonalizationDetachment from one's identity
- derealizationPerception that surroundings aren't real
detachment · loss of control · impending doom · helplessness · dissociation · racing thoughts · confusion · disorientation · unreality · fear of dying
grounding
Connecting to earth
- breathing exercisesIntentional respiration patterns
- deep breathingDeliberate slow inhalation practice
- box breathingTimed four-phase respiration
mindfulness · meditation · therapy · CBT · exposure therapy · medication · benzodiazepines · SSRIs · beta blockers · safe space
agoraphobia
Fear of public spaces
- claustrophobiaDread of enclosed areas
- phobiaPersistent irrational dread
- crowdsAssembled multitudes
enclosed spaces · flying · public speaking · trauma · PTSD · flashback · stressor · caffeine · sleep deprivation · hypervigilance
exhaustion
State of utter depletion
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- shakinessState of quivering
relief · embarrassment · shame · avoidance · recovery · debriefing · journaling · self-compassion · brain fog · tearfulness
emergency room
Hospital crisis department
- 911Crisis response number
- paramedicsEmergency medical technicians
- ambulanceEmergency medical transport
triage · first responders · crisis hotline · urgent care · medical evaluation · intervention · stabilization
- panicalarm, terror, fright, hysteria, freak out
- mind tropesmad scientist, mental breakdown, mind control, multiple personality, nervous breakdown
- panic attacksheart palpitations, palpitations, racing heart, hyperventilation, shortness of breath
- mental crisesnervous breakdown, mental breakdown, mental collapse, mental break, emotional collapse
- trauma responsesPTSD, flashbacks, flashback, hypervigilance, dissociation
- Anxietyanxiety, nervousness, worry, generalized anxiety, dread
panic attackcalm
Free from agitation
serenity · tranquility · peace of mind · equanimity · composure
panic attackdeep relaxation
Thorough mental and bodily ease
rest state · meditative state · sleep · sedation · relaxation response
attack, panic, attacked, attacker, attacking, attacks, panicky, panics, panicked