A Panic Attack is defined as an episode of intense fear of sudden onset, usually peaking within a minute. The fear, often bordering on terror, is generally accompanied by unpleasant bodily sensations, difficulty in reasoning, and a feeling of imminent catastrophe which can be expressed as: “Something terrible is happening to me”; “I am in great danger”.
Experiencing a panic attack is said to be one of the most intensely frightening, upsetting and uncomfortable experiences of a person's life. According to the American Psychological Association the symptoms of a panic attack commonly last approximately thirty minutes. However, panic attacks can be as short as 15 seconds, while sometimes panic attacks may form a cyclic series of episodes, lasting for an extended period, sometimes hours. Often those affected will experience significant anticipatory anxiety and limited symptom attacks in between attacks, in situations where attacks have previously occurred.
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