panic response
Automatic terror reflex
A panic response is the body's immediate, intense reaction to perceived danger—racing heart, rapid breathing, sweating, and the urge to flee or freeze.
The term appears in psychology and physiology to describe this automatic activation: Her panic response kicked in before she could think.
The response evolved for genuine threats but can misfire in anxiety disorders, triggering full alarm at harmless situations.
- fearEmotional response to threat
- flightAerial journey by aircraft
- freezeBecome solid from cold
- deer in headlightsParalyzed by sudden shock
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
terror · alarm · startle · heartbeat · sweating · cold sweat · trembling · hyperventilate · dread · overwhelm · white knuckle · cortisol · stress hormones · heart racing · instinct · gut feeling · survival · escape
- learned responsesconditioned reflex, classical conditioning, salivation, aversion, avoidance
- body responsesfight, flight, shivering, freeze, goosebumps
- scuba divingscuba, regulator, BCD, scuba diving, wetsuit
- emotional thinkingintuition, gut feeling, wishful thinking, paranoia, denial
- neuroscienceneuron, MRI, brain, neurons, synapses
- aerospace medicinebioastronautics, microgravity, zero gravity, pressure suit, space suit
panic responsecalm
Free from agitation
composure · calmness · tranquility · equanimity · serenity
panic responserelaxation response
Body's stress-reversing state
self-regulation · measured response · self-possession · level-headedness · grace under pressure
panic, panics, panicked, panicking, panicky, response, responses, respond, responds