Panic Attacks 101: What’s Happening and What Helps
A panic attack can feel like a heart attack or losing control. Here’s what’s really happening — and how to ride it out.
The short answer
A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear with physical symptoms — pounding heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, tingling — that peaks within minutes. It’s your body’s alarm firing when there’s no real danger. It’s frightening, but not harmful, and it always passes.
What helps in the moment
Slow your exhale (breathe out longer than you breathe in). Name five things you can see and four you can hear to ground yourself. Remind yourself: “This is a false alarm. It will peak and pass.” Over time, therapy reduces how often panic shows up at all.
Frequently asked questions
Can panic attacks be cured?
Panic responds very well to treatment. Therapy that changes your relationship to the physical sensations (so you stop fearing the fear) can dramatically reduce or eliminate attacks.