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Can you die from a panic attack?

28 Answers
Last Updated: 06/23/2020 at 5:03am
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous - Expert in Panic Attacks
June 3rd, 2015 1:38pm
You'll maybe feel like you're dying, but you can't really die from it. It's only a subjective feeling that you have. I had couple panic attacks in my life and I never died. I actually never saw somewhere that someone died from it. I'm sure that you can't.
FlowWithIt
November 22nd, 2014 9:37pm
Nope :) When panicking your body realises that what its reaction is isn't helping, so you pass out, during the time you are passed out your body kind of resets itself. But the best way I have found to stop my panic attack is to stretch out and tell myself that I will be ok, and just accept my feeling of panic but just say its normal and it will pass. The worst thing you can do is panic about panicking!
emergeintolight
December 26th, 2014 3:20am
Although your body starts to think "I'm about to die, this is it" you will not die. Panic attacks are physical manifestations of psychological thoughts.
Cosmos
December 17th, 2014 11:27pm
I wouldn't say it's impossible, but if the body is too stressed, it could take a toll on the cardiovascular system. Hypertension, tachycardia, etc. It's not good for the body. That's why it's always best to try to talk yourself out of a panic attack, or take medication! (:
Mel
November 21st, 2014 4:43am
No, you can't! That's a common fear while having a panic attack, because your heart starts to race and you think it may stop but don't worry! You can't die or formally have a heart attack!
Anonymous
May 9th, 2016 4:36am
Panic Attacks themselves are not fatal, they may make you feel like you're dying but you won't. When you have a panic attack, make sure that you don't wander off somewhere, because that can be dangerous.
KKW
December 4th, 2014 1:23am
No, you cannot die from a panic attack. The worst that can happen is fainting due to hyperventilating.
Anonymous
November 24th, 2014 4:31am
Realistically no. You might think that your are dying though. Many people compare it to a heart attack, when in reality a panic attack is the exact opposite.
XxXBunnyXxX
May 29th, 2015 11:13pm
No, I use to have them all the time although you feel as if you are going to die you are not thinking clear. All you have to do is get yourself calm.
RebeccaH
December 20th, 2014 3:53am
No. Although it sure feels like it! Panic attacks are just your sympathetic nervous system going into overdrive. They can be as short as a few moments, or as long as 15 minutes, but they always pass.
Arkelight
December 28th, 2014 12:41am
You can not die from a panic attack unless you have particular medical issues that can be impacted by these attacks. It is best that you consult with a Doctor if you are worried about this.
Ya93DC
May 28th, 2015 12:55am
Based on personal experience, no. When I first had a panic attack, before I knew what I was, I absolutely thought I was having some type of life-threatening health issue. My limbs felt numb, I felt out of breath, and just couldn't focus. It came at the most random time in a very calm and non-threatening situation: I was watching a movie with my significant other at night. I walked to the emergency room (college campus with an adjacent medical center, so it was close). It is scary, but you need to take it a breath at a time and find meditative exercises to distract your mind or orient yourself.
PlayfulAngel17
May 1st, 2015 6:23am
No you cannot, you are just in fight or flight mode. The symptoms can seem very real, but cannot harm you! Simply relax, take calm breaths, you will feel better before you know it.
Dresden
November 22nd, 2014 5:45am
No, a panic attack will go away eventually, even if you don't feel like it will. A panic attack will not kill you.
Kilyauna
March 28th, 2016 3:40am
When you're having a panic attack or anxiety attack, the symptoms — chest pain, flushing skin, a racing heart, and difficulty breathing — can make you feel like you're going to faint, lose your mind, or die. But the reality is, you won't.
Anonymous
September 29th, 2015 8:45am
No, you can't die from a panic attack. You may feel like your dying, but you can't die. A panic attack is basically your fight or flight response, if your body thinks it is in danger, it will give you these symptoms to help escape that dangerous situation, FEAR is a SUPERPOWER!! it makes you faster and stronger. Try not to worry about having panic attacks, the more calm and relaxed you are the better chance you will have of not having one
patientStar86
October 27th, 2015 7:43pm
No. If someone has a panic attack it can feel as though they are dying, especially if they experience intense symptoms. If you are looking for information on panic attacks, you might want to look on the Mind website http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/ If you are asking for yourself or someone you know, and they have not been diagnosed with panic attacks, these symptoms should be checked by a medical professional to rule out other health issues.
resourcefulSmiles4u
June 7th, 2016 1:59am
No. As scary as it is, it is all in your mind. It is mind over matter. You will feel like you are dying but you wont, and you will survive
Anonymous
December 4th, 2018 10:03pm
No you can not die from a panic attack. You might feel like you are because of the heart racing and your body might be all sweaty here but your not going to die at all. I mean it is hard to tell you when I went through mine how I managed them and I will tell you that I had great support in my life so that I could get over mine. But with the best help of getting help for them it made my life so much better for me in the end here. But to answer this again no you can not die from a panic attack.
Anonymous
July 3rd, 2018 2:09pm
While I can't say no one ever has, it is extremely doubtful - the death would have to be caused by something else. The actual panic attack wouldn't kill you.
Lovely0310buddy
May 15th, 2018 12:29pm
Depends on the situation. But never heard of anyone who dies from panic attack. They might be unconscious for some time and might need to calm down.
blissfulMelody50
March 14th, 2016 11:06am
Although you might feel close to death during a panic attack, you will not die from a panjc attack.
ListenLady
October 15th, 2015 5:43pm
No you can't die from a panic attack. Yes they are horrendous, scary, awful and you may feel like you are about to die BUT a panic attack can't hurt you, it will pass and always does.
MindfulnessIsKey
June 17th, 2015 5:33am
When experiencing a debilitating panic attack, it is always wise to go straight to the nearest emergency room! Everyone is different, and there's not a high chance at all that you can actually die from a panic attack. Your respiration, heart rate, and breaths per minute goes up tremendously, so you are putting your body in distress (even though you don't mean to!) So no matter what, if it's that bad, get out there and by any means possible, get to that emergency room to ensure complete safety!
LiliMonroe
June 23rd, 2020 5:03am
No, you can't. Panic attacks might make you feel like you can't breathe, like someone is pressing your chest, you feel sick, you might experience nausea and find it hard to walk and stand up because your legs are shaking, and most importantly panic attacks make you experience fear that you might die. But, the truth is, none of these symptoms can kill you, the worst thing that can happen (my experience) is you can faint or throw up, but anxiety definitely won't kill you. If you are experiencing such scary feelings, sit or lay down and concentrate on your breathing, make it slow and mindful, no matter how sick you feel, don't think about your feelings and thoughts, concentrate on your breath coming in and out and you will feel better in no time.
MusicSoul82
October 28th, 2019 2:55pm
Panic attacks will not cause you to die. They are serious though, and I feel for you if you've been through one. They can be scary and can make you feel like you're going to die or go crazy. Please make sure you get checked out for heart disease as soon as possible to rule that out because the symptoms can be similar. While it may feel silly, taking deep controlled breaths through your nose and exhaling through your mouth does help minimize the pain and feelings of uncertainty. If you are near someone when it happens, simply ask them to hold your hand during the course of it. Human touch is very powerful and can help shorten the duration of a panic attack. Talk to someone about your feelings once it's over.
Anonymous
October 16th, 2015 11:06am
Although it feels like it, no you cant. I get them frequently and the toughest part is remembering that I'm okay, you just need to regulate your breathing, zone out and relax as much as possible
Anonymous
November 21st, 2014 3:41pm
No, but it is life threatening for your health. Getting a Panic attack should be treated immediately.