A panic attack can feel sudden, overwhelming, and terrifying—often striking without warning. Many people experiencing one for the first time believe they are having a heart attack or losing control. Understanding how panic attacks affect the brain and body can reduce fear, increase confidence, and help individuals seek effective treatment.
At Hali Miller PMHNP Psychiatry, we regularly support patients dealing with panic attacks, anxiety, and related conditions through compassionate, evidence-based care.
What Is a Panic Attack?
Many people ask, what is a panic attack?
A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort that peaks within minutes and triggers strong physical and emotional symptoms—even when no real danger is present.
Unlike everyday stress or worry, panic attacks activate the body’s emergency response system at full force.
What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like?
People often describe panic attacks as feeling:
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Sudden and overwhelming
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Physically intense
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Hard to control
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Frightening or life-threatening
Common panic attack symptoms include:
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Rapid heartbeat or chest pain
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Shortness of breath
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Dizziness or lightheadedness
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Sweating or chills
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Trembling or shaking
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Nausea or stomach distress
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Tingling or numbness
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Fear of dying or losing control
These symptoms of a panic attack can vary in intensity, and woman panic attack symptoms may sometimes include hormonal or menstrual cycle influences that increase vulnerability.
Signs of a Panic Attack
Common signs of a panic attack include:
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Sudden onset of fear
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Feeling detached from reality
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Urge to escape
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Hyperventilation
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Muscle tension
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Difficulty focusing
Recognizing the early signs of panic attack can help individuals intervene sooner.
Panic Attack vs Anxiety Attack: What’s the Difference?
Many people search for panic attack vs anxiety attack or anxiety attack vs panic attack, and the distinction can be confusing.
Anxiety Attack
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Builds gradually
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Triggered by stress or worry
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Symptoms are uncomfortable but less intense
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Often lasts longer
Panic Attack
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Sudden and intense
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May occur without a clear trigger
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Includes severe physical symptoms
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Peaks within minutes
Understanding anxiety vs panic attack differences helps guide proper treatment.
How Do Panic Attacks Affect the Brain?
A key question patients ask is: how do panic attacks affect the brain?
During a panic attack, several brain regions become overactive:
1. Amygdala – The Fear Center
The amygdala detects threat. In panic attacks, it misfires—sending danger signals even when no real threat exists.
This causes:
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Intense fear
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Rapid stress hormone release
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Fight-or-flight activation
2. Prefrontal Cortex – Rational Thinking
The prefrontal cortex helps regulate fear and logical thinking. During a panic attack, its activity decreases, making it hard to reason through symptoms.
This explains why reassurance alone often doesn’t stop a panic attack.
3. Hippocampus – Memory and Context
The hippocampus stores memories and helps identify whether danger is real. Panic attacks can cause it to misinterpret body sensations as threats, reinforcing future panic episodes.
This brain pattern explains how panic attacks affect the brain and why panic disorder can become recurring without treatment.
How Panic Attacks Affect the Body
Panic attacks trigger the body’s survival system, releasing adrenaline and cortisol. This leads to:
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Increased heart rate
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Rapid breathing
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Muscle tension
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Blood flow redirected to major muscles
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Digestive slowdown
These changes explain why panic attacks feel so physical and why symptoms can mimic serious medical emergencies.
Panic Attack vs Heart Attack
One of the most frightening comparisons is panic attack vs heart attack.
Panic Attack
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Chest tightness (often sharp or fleeting)
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Rapid heartbeat
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Symptoms improve with calming techniques
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EKG and tests usually normal
Heart Attack
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Crushing chest pressure
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Pain radiating to arm or jaw
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Worsens with activity
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Medical emergency
If symptoms are new or severe, medical evaluation is always recommended—but panic attacks themselves are not life-threatening.
How Long Does a Panic Attack Last?
Many people ask, how long does a panic attack last?
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Typically peaks within 10 minutes
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Usually resolves within 20–30 minutes
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Lingering anxiety or fatigue may last longer
Knowing this can be reassuring during an episode.
How to Calm Down From a Panic Attack
Effective strategies for how to calm down from a panic attack include:
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Slow, deep breathing
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Grounding techniques (naming 5 things you see, 4 you feel, etc.)
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Reminding yourself: “This is uncomfortable, not dangerous.”
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Relaxing tense muscles
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Sitting or lying in a safe space
Learning how to stop a panic attack early can reduce severity and duration over time.
How to Help Someone Having a Panic Attack
If you’re wondering how to help someone having a panic attack, supportive actions include:
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Staying calm
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Speaking slowly and reassuringly
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Encouraging steady breathing
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Avoiding minimizing statements
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Remaining present until symptoms pass
Supportive presence is more effective than logic during an attack.
Panic Attack Treatment Options
Effective panic attack treatment focuses on both brain and body responses.
1. Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Exposure therapy
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Trauma-informed therapy
These approaches retrain the brain’s fear response.
2. Panic Attack Medication
In some cases, panic attack medication may be helpful, such as:
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SSRIs or SNRIs
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Anti-anxiety medications (carefully monitored)
Medication can reduce attack frequency and intensity when used appropriately.
3. Lifestyle & Coping Skills
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Stress management
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Sleep regulation
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Reduced caffeine
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Mindfulness and relaxation practices
Often, the most effective care combines multiple panic attack treatments.
When to Seek Professional Help
Consider professional support if:
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Panic attacks occur frequently
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Fear of panic affects daily life
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You avoid places due to panic
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Symptoms worsen or don’t improve
At Hali Miller PMHNP Psychiatry, we offer personalized care plans using therapy referrals, medication management, and supportive psychiatric care through telehealth and in-person services across Louisiana.
Final Thoughts: Panic Attacks Are Treatable
Panic attacks are frightening—but they are also highly treatable. Understanding how panic attacks affect the brain and body empowers individuals to replace fear with knowledge and take steps toward recovery.
With the right support, the brain can learn that it is safe again—and panic no longer has to control your life.
📞 Contact Hali Miller PMHNP Psychiatry
📍 Louisiana
📱 +1 985-200-0688
📧 info@hmpsychllc.com
🌐 www.hmpsychllc.com
You are not alone—and help is available.