What a panic attack feels like
A panic attack is a sudden rush of intense fear that peaks within minutes, often with a pounding heart, shortness of breath, sweating, shaking, dizziness, or a feeling of doom. Many people think they are having a heart attack the first time.
Having one panic attack is common. Panic disorder is when attacks keep coming unexpectedly and you start worrying about the next one, sometimes avoiding places where they happened.
About this self-check
The questions are the panic module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), the same family as the PHQ-9 depression screener. It asks about attacks in the last four weeks and what the last bad one was like.
Your answers stay in your browser. Saycalm doesn't see or store them, and only sends them anywhere if you ask us to email you your results.
The questions
Four questions about anxiety attacks in the last 4 weeks, then eleven about what your last bad attack felt like. All are yes or no.
- Have you had an anxiety attack: suddenly feeling fear or panic?
- Has this ever happened before?
- Do some of these attacks come suddenly out of the blue, in situations where you don't expect to be nervous or uncomfortable?
- Do these attacks bother you a lot, or are you worried about having another attack?
- Were you short of breath?
- Did your heart race, pound, or skip?
- Did you have chest pain or pressure?
- Did you sweat?
- Did you feel as if you were choking?
- Did you have hot flashes or chills?
- Did you have nausea or an upset stomach, or the feeling that you were going to have diarrhea?
- Did you feel dizzy, unsteady, or faint?
- Did you have tingling or numbness in parts of your body?
- Did you tremble or shake?
- Were you afraid you were dying?
Common questions
How do I know it was a panic attack and not my heart?
You can't always tell on your own, which is why it's important to get chest pain, fainting, or a first-ever attack checked by a doctor. Once physical causes are ruled out, panic attacks are very treatable.
What can I do during a panic attack?
Slow breathing (in for four, out for six), reminding yourself that it will pass in a few minutes, and staying where you are rather than escaping all help. Attacks are frightening but not dangerous on their own.
What treatment works for panic disorder?
Cognitive behavioral therapy, especially with gradual exposure to the feared sensations and situations, has excellent results. Some antidepressants also prevent attacks.
Panic module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. No permission required to reproduce, translate, display or distribute. Used for screening only; not a diagnosis.
