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How long does a panic attack last?

268 Answers
Last Updated: 01/18/2021 at 11:40pm
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Top Rated Answers
Anushka1
September 11th, 2014 2:32pm
A panic attack can last from 5-10 minutes. However, there might be certain cases with waves for up to 2 hours too. Depends from one person to another.
Courage
October 26th, 2014 10:09pm
As long as it wants to... How long can I last? Longer. And I'm stronger with each one. :) They always end, but my job is to just hold on and take the best care of myself that I can in the moment.
Anonymous
August 5th, 2015 9:19am
I've had panic attacks for up to 4 hours. Ended up in the emergency room and passed out three times in one night because of it.
DapperRainbow
August 14th, 2015 4:09pm
From my experience, a panic attack can last from a few minutes to hours, but the effects can last for days, and even come back in flashing moments of vulnerability. It's important to try and remain calm and ground yourself, focusing on the facts and trying not to focus on anything that could be manipulated by emotions. Breathing is important. These variables can help shorten the length of a panic attack.
IdkMeg
October 8th, 2014 1:31pm
My panic attacks may last for 30 minutes, or they may even last for a whole week. It depends on what I'm panicked about. It may even last longer than a week, until the cause of the attack (like a test, or meeting someone who intimidates me) is over.
Bethennie
October 9th, 2014 1:15am
Panic attacks can really vary in time length, depending on how severe they are. You can really shorten them by taking deep breaths, forcing yourself to identify and connect with your surroundings, and listening to peaceful music.
Anonymous
November 16th, 2014 10:57pm
it depends for the person and on the type of panic attack. i have had ones that lasted for hours and ones that have lasted for minutes
Anonymous
August 14th, 2015 3:30pm
A panic attack can vary in length, and also in the way it is experienced. The good news is, in my opinion, that panic attacks, while undeniably uncomfortable, always pass. Every person deserves support when facing the challenge of panic attacks.
Savana13
November 19th, 2014 11:05pm
It depends on the person, but usually it lasts 5-10 minutes, but it can come in waves for up to two hours.
LindseyWillHelp
October 16th, 2014 4:35pm
Well, I'm not an expert on this stuff, so I wouldn't take what I say to heart, but I'm pretty sure they don't have a specific span of time that they last
Anonymous
July 25th, 2015 5:29pm
Generally speaking, the climax of a panic attack is no longer than ten minutes- but the full process can be up to an hour.
SmileYoureBeautiful
November 18th, 2014 11:50pm
The length of a panic attack differentiates from person to person, but usually don't last longer than 12 minutes.
remnantshadow
October 23rd, 2014 7:53pm
Panic attacks can last anywhere from a few seconds (mini attacks) to hours and come with any variety of symptoms from feeling slightly numb with pins and needles feeling to a full blown panic and the feelings of loosing your mind or thinking you're having a heart attack.
RaleighC
October 24th, 2014 1:54am
Panic attacks last minutes at most, generally topping out at around ten minutes or so. Some people require time after a panic attack to calm down and collect themselves though, so it's hard to give an answer that applies to everybody.
starryRiver83
March 14th, 2015 6:43pm
Panic attacks can last anything from a few minutes, to an hour... the after effects of a panic attack may last even longer.
melissasue3579
October 8th, 2014 11:28am
it can average, different people have longer or shorter panic attacks. what your panicking also has an affect on the time period.
KellyCanary
July 9th, 2015 7:45am
There is no specific length of time that a panic attack can last. It is a very wide range. I guess the average is about half an hour, but it could be 5 minutes or 2 hours as well.
Dailydaydreama
November 16th, 2014 8:43pm
Panic attacks can last longer for different people and situations there is no set time for how long each person will be effected by a panic attack
Anonymous
November 2nd, 2014 8:31pm
It honestly can depend on the situation. Panic attacks are individualized issues that don't always follow an exact system.
MissEpiphanyy
October 15th, 2014 3:32am
The duration of panic attacks usually depends on the person and what triggered it. If someone has multiple triggers and one of the more severe ones triggers the attack then the attack can last longer, another factor is the environments and if the tools needed to calm the person down are easily accessible or not. It all depends on the person.
Girlsjustwannahavefun
August 13th, 2015 8:45am
Like the life is being sucked out of you and you cannot find any air. It is a very scary experience and I don't wish them upon anyone
Dovah
July 2nd, 2015 11:53am
Typically a panic attack develops extremely quickly and usually reach their peak within 10 minutes, Most panic attacks end within 20 to 30 minutes, It'll adjust from person to person, but they won't usually last more than an hour (although you may feel very tired after) ! ^_^
Anonymous
August 8th, 2015 4:41pm
It depends! For most people, it's pretty short, but again, it really depends of the individual. Mine are usually rather short
Anonymous
August 12th, 2015 5:31am
As long as you let it! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OpenHeart
September 29th, 2014 2:25pm
Personally I have had panic attacks last one to two hours. But when able to stop them sometimes i can get it under control within 5-10 minutes, that's only if i catch it soon enough.
Anonymous
August 13th, 2015 12:18pm
A Panic attack can last anywhere from 30 seconds to all day. Depending on the circumstances of the person(s) involved and the coping skills thereof. Each individual is different in the symptoms they suffer. Ranging from a simple biting of fingernails to full blown "fits of uncontrolled emotions". Each person deals with their attacks differently. At best, you isolate the problem, irradiate the triggers, and try to keep the person as calm as possible under the current circumstances involved.
CrimsonRising
November 10th, 2014 12:47am
For me, a panic attack can last anywhere between 1 - 20 minutes. On average, though, I would say they last around 5 minutes.
softFlower64
July 12th, 2015 4:23pm
From my experience, about 20 minutes. I have found that the effects can linger, and after having one I sometimes feel very fatigued.
calmWaves10
June 26th, 2015 2:23am
Most panic attacks end within twenty to thirty minutes, they rarely last longer than an hour. They reach their peak within ten minutes.
kittykat
August 13th, 2015 4:34pm
A panic attack generally lasts ten minutes or less. Panic attacks include shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and feelings of overwhelming fear. These can mimic symptoms of a heart attack and if you aren't sure whether you're having a heart attack or a panic attack, it's best to call for emergency medical attention. Better safe than sorry. Anxiety attacks, on the other hand, can last much longer. The symptoms include feelings of overwhelming dread and fear, sweatiness, and shortness of breath, but they're not as violent as panic attacks.