panic attack.

A sudden episode of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by marked physical and mental symptoms.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• experience a panic attack
• during a panic attack
• recurrent panic attacks

On the page

She described the episode to her doctor as a possible panic attack.

During the panic attack, ordinary classroom sounds seemed unbearable.

After his first panic attack, he worried that it might happen on the train.

Usage notes

Primary category: fear. A recognized clinical expression, not a synonym for being very nervous; attacks need not involve an obvious external threat or imply panic disorder. Count noun. Count plural: panic attacks.