Panic attack

What it means

A sudden episode of intense fear in a situation where there is no danger or apparent cause.

The panic attack is accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and chills or hot flushes. There may be a sensation of dyspnea (feeling out of breath), chest pain, or abdominal distress. Some individuals with panic attacks may experience depersonalization, a fear of going crazy, or a fear of dying.

Rare diseases that can present with this14

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category