A panic attack feels like a sudden, intense episode of fear or anxiety that comes on quickly and often without warning. Physically, it can cause a racing or pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, trembling or shaking, sweating, dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea, and chills or hot flushes. People may also experience tingling sensations, dry mouth, muscle tension, and a feeling of constriction in the throat or chest
. Mentally, panic attacks often bring a strong sense of dread, fear of losing control, going mad, having a heart attack, or even dying. There can be feelings of unreality or detachment from oneself or the surroundings, known as depersonalization or derealization. The experience is usually very frightening and distressing, making people feel like something catastrophic is about to happen despite no real danger
. Most panic attacks last between 5 and 20 minutes, though some may last longer. The symptoms peak quickly and then gradually subside. Though terrifying, panic attacks are not physically harmful
. In summary, a panic attack feels like an overwhelming surge of fear with intense physical symptoms such as a racing heart, breathlessness, trembling, and dizziness, combined with mental fears of losing control or dying, often accompanied by a sense of unreality
