Medical Term for Panic Attack
The medical term for a panic attack is "panic attack" (PA)—this is the formal diagnostic terminology used in the DSM-5 and international classification systems. 1
Definition and Core Features
A panic attack is formally defined as an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, during which four or more symptoms of autonomic arousal occur. 1 The term "panic attack" itself has been the standardized medical nomenclature since its adoption in the DSM-III (1980) and has remained consistent through subsequent revisions. 2, 3
Key Diagnostic Components
Rapid onset: The episode develops abruptly and peaks within 10 minutes, distinguishing it from other anxiety states. 4, 5
Autonomic symptoms: At least four symptoms from a specified list must be present, including palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, chills or heat sensations, paresthesias, derealization/depersonalization, fear of losing control, or fear of dying. 4, 1
Intense subjective experience: The core feature is an acute surge of fear or discomfort, not merely physical symptoms. 1, 5
Distinction from Related Terms
Panic attack versus panic disorder: A panic attack is a discrete symptom or syndrome that can occur across multiple psychiatric conditions, whereas panic disorder is a specific diagnosis requiring recurrent unexpected panic attacks plus persistent concern about additional attacks or maladaptive behavioral changes. 2, 1 The DSM-IV clarified that panic attacks are not disorder-specific and can occur in depression, PTSD, social anxiety, and other conditions. 2
Panic attack versus generalized anxiety: Panic attacks are characterized by acute, discrete episodes with rapid onset, while generalized anxiety involves chronic, persistent worry lasting most days for ≥6 months without discrete episodes. 5 The distinction is based on temporal pattern—panic is episodic and peaks rapidly, anxiety is sustained and diffuse. 5
Historical Context and Terminology Evolution
The term "panic attack" was formally introduced in psychiatric nomenclature through the Research Diagnostic Criteria (1975) and subsequently adopted by DSM-III (1980). 3 Prior to this, similar presentations were described within Freud's concept of "anxiety neurosis" (1895), which encompassed both acute anxiety attacks and chronic anxiety states. 3 Klein's research in 1962 demonstrated differential drug responses between acute attacks and chronic anxiety, leading to the separation into distinct entities: panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder. 3
Cultural and Linguistic Variations
While "panic attack" is the standard English medical term, cross-cultural research has identified culturally specific presentations with different names (e.g., "ataque de nervios" in Latino populations) that share the core phenomenology of panic attacks but may include additional culturally-specific symptoms such as uncontrollable screaming or crying, headache, or neck soreness. 1 These are considered cultural variants of the same underlying phenomenon. 1
Clinical Significance
No alternative formal medical terminology exists—terms like "anxiety attack" are colloquial and not diagnostically precise. 5 The standardized term "panic attack" ensures consistent communication among healthcare providers and accurate documentation in medical records. 1, 2
The severity and impact of panic attacks warrant precise terminology: they are associated with significant functional impairment, high comorbidity with depression and substance use disorders, and increased suicide risk when occurring as part of panic disorder. 2