From the FDA Drug Label
Panic disorder (DSM-IV) is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks, i.e., a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort in which four (or more) of the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes:
The typical duration of a panic attack is not explicitly stated in terms of the total length, but it is mentioned that the symptoms reach a peak within 10 minutes. This suggests that a panic attack can last at least 10 minutes, but the total duration is not directly specified 1.
- The symptoms of a panic attack develop abruptly and
- reach a peak within 10 minutes,
- but the total duration of the attack is not explicitly stated.
From the Research
A panic attack typically lasts around 10 minutes, with symptoms peaking within this timeframe before gradually subsiding. The duration of a panic attack can vary, but most attacks last between a few minutes to half an hour, with some potentially persisting for up to an hour. According to the most recent and highest quality study available, 2, a panic attack is characterized by a discrete period of fear or anxiety that has a rapid onset and reaches a peak within 10 minutes. This study, published in 2023, provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive overview of panic disorder and its treatment.
Key characteristics of a panic attack include:
- Rapid onset of intense fear or anxiety
- Peak symptoms within 10 minutes
- Presence of at least four of 13 characteristic symptoms, such as racing heart, chest pain, sweating, shaking, dizziness, flushing, stomach churning, faintness, and breathlessness
- Fearful cognitions, such as the fear of collapse, going mad, or dying, and derealization (the sensation that the world is unreal)
During a panic attack, individuals experience intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms due to the activation of the body's fight-or-flight response, triggering the release of adrenaline and other stress hormones even when there is no actual danger present. Management techniques for panic attacks include deep breathing exercises and grounding techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 method. For recurrent panic attacks, treatment options include cognitive-behavioral therapy and sometimes medications like SSRIs or benzodiazepines prescribed by a healthcare provider, as supported by studies such as 3, 4, and 5. However, the choice of treatment should be guided by the patient's preference and should balance benefits and harms from treatment in a long-term perspective, considering the potential risks and benefits of each treatment option.