What is meant by a panic attack?
It is understood as the sudden manifestation of a strong fear accompanied by an equally intense physical symptomatology despite the absence of an actual danger or trigger. The person suffering from a panic attack loses control and is certain to be in a serious life-threatening condition such as a heart attack or fatal occurrence. A panic attack represents a very frightening event for the person suffering from it.
In the course of life, especially under conditions of high stress, it is possible to experience a panic attack, but as an occasional or rare occurrence that then tends to fade.
In cases, however, that the event recurs suddenly and recurrently, even when there are no particularly stressful situations, one can then speak of “panic disorder,” a condition of continuous and increasing fear accompanied by the terror of a new and unexpected attack.
Even if a panic attack is not a real danger to life, it still constitutes an experience of fright and despondency that is highly detrimental to a person’s quality of life.
