What it means
The body reacts as if in danger: a pounding heart, fast breathing, sweating, shaking, chest tightness, dizziness, tingling and a feeling of dying or losing control. An attack may come out of nowhere or be set off by a feared situation. Repeated attacks with worry about the next one are panic disorder.
For the nurse
First make sure the symptoms are not from a heart or lung problem. Stay with the client, speak in short calm sentences, lower noise and light, and coach slow breathing.
At a glance
| Spanish | ataque de pánico |
|---|---|
| Also written | panic attacks |
Related terms
tachycardia
A heart rate faster than normal; in an adult, more than 100 beats per minute.
palpitation
The feeling of your own heartbeat as pounding, racing, fluttering or skipping.
hyperventilation
Breathing faster or deeper than the body needs, so too much carbon dioxide is breathed out.