Panic Attack

Definition: An emotional experience that can occur in the context of any anxiety or other mental disorders. A panic attack (sometimes referred to as an ‘anxiety attack’) is the experience of intense psychological and physical symptoms related to danger that is not immediate. Many people who experience panic attacks have them at times that are unexpected and they often believe something very serious is wrong with them physically. Panic attacks are often treated with psychotherapy and/or medication. They are also known to occur for people with generalized anxiety disorder. Read more about the diagnostic criteria for GAD here.