panic attack

American  

noun

Psychiatry.

1. an intense attack of anxiety characterized by feelings of impending doom and trembling, sweating, pounding heart, and other physical symptoms.

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panic attack British  

noun

1. an episode of acute and disabling anxiety associated with such physical symptoms as hyperventilation and sweating See also panic disorder

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Example Sentences

Khaleela said she had flashbacks to the night of Aman's death and suffers from panic attacks as a result of what has happened.

From BBC

If the bedroom I shared with Camille had ever looked this messy, Dad would have had a panic attack.

From Literature

Ellis said his friends and housemates spoke Welsh "constantly" to each other, which led to him having daily nightmares and panic attacks that made it even harder to concentrate on his studies.

From BBC

Neurodiverse people can become overwhelmed or distressed when surrounded by large numbers of people, which can bring on sensory overload or panic attacks.

From BBC

The boy didn’t know much about panic attacks, and he wondered if they felt like when his feelings were so loud he couldn’t hear anything else.

From Literature

Related Words

• spasm