Panic attack symptoms: what to know

A panic attack is a sudden surge of fear or discomfort with a strong body alarm response. You may notice pounding or fast heartbeats, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, a tight chest, nausea, dizziness, chills, heat, numbness or tingling. Some people feel detached from themselves or fear losing control, fainting or dying.

Symptoms can peak quickly and then ease, leaving you tired or unsettled. The experience is real, but the same symptoms can occur with heart, lung, hormonal, neurological or medicine-related problems. Chest tightness, palpitations, feeling anxious, and numbness and tingling are useful descriptions for a clinician, not a diagnosis by themselves.

Stop and sit or stand somewhere secure. Breathe gently and slowly; avoid forcing very deep breaths, which can increase light-headedness. Relax your shoulders, keep your feet supported and focus on one nearby object. Remind yourself that the sensation is an alarm response while checking whether anything feels medically unusual.

Afterward, note the start, symptoms, setting, sleep, caffeine, alcohol, medicines and recovery. Book a GP Consultation if attacks recur, interfere with life or leave you avoiding places.

Call emergency services for severe or ongoing chest pain, major breathing difficulty, fainting, new weakness, confusion, seizure or thoughts of self-harm. Get urgent assessment when symptoms are new, unusually severe, occur after drug use or do not settle as expected. Do not self-diagnose a dangerous symptom as panic.

Do these symptoms fit panic, or should we check another cause? What should I do if chest symptoms return? Which warning signs mean emergency care? Would a Mental Health Assessment or treatment for recurring panic help?