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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
TheLizzyMonster
July 24th, 2015 4:39pm
There is no definitive answer to that question. Although I guess they last as long as you fuel them. I find that the best way to deal with a panic attack is to do something else. Distract yourself. At least until you have a safe place where you can talk to someone about your panic attacks and have them help you work through them.
Anonymous
July 25th, 2015 2:39am
It depends on the person and on the situation. You can have a series of panic attacks in one day but not one full attack in one day.
Anonymous
July 25th, 2015 4:59am
Any length of time. Sometimes they're just a few moments, other times they last hours. They can come on without warning, or give you some clue that they're coming.
lovelylistener155
July 25th, 2015 3:49pm
It doesn't have to last long at all if you relax and remove yourself from whatever situation you might find yourself in, breathe in and out and relax, close your eyes and forget about anything on your mind that is having a negative impact on you
calmsoul
July 26th, 2015 2:48am
A panic attack can last between 10 mins to 30 mins usually, however sometimes a person may experience a series of panic attacks or one panic attack followed by extreme anxiety which can last much longer - up to several hours.
Anonymous
July 26th, 2015 7:17am
A panic attack can last anywhere from 5 minutes up to multiple days. If a panic attack last for more than an hour or so it is called an anxiety attack. Anxiety attacks are more drawn out and might have smaller climaxes, whereas a panic attack is really bad for about ten minutes, usually, but then goes away quickly.
whimsicaldreamer
July 26th, 2015 7:12pm
A panic attack can last 20-30 minutes and usually don't go for longer than an hour. They reach their peek at 10 minutes.
ElvenLight
July 29th, 2015 2:29pm
Panic attacks can last anywhere from five minutes to thirty minutes. Depending on your breathing exercises and coping mechanisms, they can be shorter!
Anonymous
July 30th, 2015 7:42pm
Personally anywhere for 5-50 minutes, though the worst part will usually be the first 15 minutes. But it is different for everyone I think.
Anonymous
July 31st, 2015 2:39am
It is different for everybody. For me personally they can last from 15 minutes to 2 hours, depends on how bad it is. Usually the more I have in succession the longer they get.
Brandon32223
July 31st, 2015 8:49am
The signs and symptoms of a panic attack develop abruptly and usually reach their peak within 10 minutes. Most panic attacks end within 20 to 30 minutes, and they rarely last more than an hour.
Anonymous
July 31st, 2015 1:50pm
really depends on the person, it could last 2-3 mins it could last 20-40 mins. it all depends on how the person handles there issues
PoliteOcean
July 31st, 2015 6:46pm
No one can determine how long a panic attack can last. Everyone is different in the way they cope, or handle emotional situations. Finding a good healthcare provider or therapist who can provide one with coping mechanisms or strategies can make a difference in the way you think or feel. And might even determine how long or how little you are able to deal with and handle a tough situation.
Jenniferroseh98
July 31st, 2015 10:08pm
Panic attacks can vary from a minute to hours. If your panic attack has been going on for hours you should contact and paramedic or on call doctor.
Anonymous
August 1st, 2015 11:47am
Until you've calmed down enough to relax yourself. I think coming out of a panic attack, realization and relaxation are the most important traits to have. Realizing what you're feeling and relaxing yourself are very important.
anothersunshine
August 1st, 2015 6:12pm
Panic attacks don't seem to have minimum or maximum time. Depends on the person and surroundings. If they're comfortable and it happens suddenly, it might go away quicker. But if they're in the middle of taking an exam and have to stay in a classroom for two hours, that panic attack might as well last for two hours.
seabreeze98
August 1st, 2015 11:10pm
I think it can depend on the person/what its about. For me personally, they last until i calm down, but for some people it can be a 5 second thing. It also depends on how fast we dismiss the thought or think about it. Hopefully this helps/answers your question
misskitty24
August 2nd, 2015 7:32am
A panic attack can last anywhere from 5 - 30 mins. The duration of the attack also depends on the situation you are in. If you are receiving continuous triggers then it might get worse. The wise thing to do is get yourself to a safe and positive location as soon as you can or request for help from a friend or colleague. Trying to breath faster will only make it worse. Focus on inhaling slowly from the nose and exhaling through the mouth. Personally, I have found it helpful to keep focusing on a happy memory or individual in you life. I hope all this helps. Remember everyone reacts differently so find what suits you best.
Anonymous
August 2nd, 2015 6:10pm
panic attack episodes can vary depending on your ability to control them. 10-15 minutes is average.
AustinL
August 5th, 2015 7:12am
Panic attacks aren't something that can be measured easily. I've had panic attacks that last for seconds, and those that seem to go on for hours. If you feel like you're having long panic attacks, and frequently, definitely look into talking with someone about it. Your Doctor would be the best first choice. The best thing to do when having a panic attack is breathe deeply, and politely excuse yourself from the area, while you take a few moments away from everyone and everything to calm down.
Bri
August 6th, 2015 12:16am
A panic attack can last moments or it can take upwards of 15-25 minutes. (In my own personal experience) But everyone is different and I have often experienced the feeling of an oncoming panic attack for hours before it hits and the feelings of having just had a panic attack can last for hours or the rest of the day as well. I often like to rest or speak with a family member or friend to help me through the panic attack (I've had them since early childhood) and then I like to rest on my own for a time afterwards. They can be a terrifying experience but reminding yourself that you are okay, sitting/standing up and placing your hands on top of your head to help keep your airways open, and sometimes pacing has often helped me through my panic attacks!
JustineElizabeth
August 6th, 2015 1:53pm
Panic attack duration varies from person to person but can be minimized and eventually eliminated by practicing different cognitive behavioral techniques.
frothyFlamingo27
August 6th, 2015 8:42pm
honestly, a panic attack doesnt have necessarily a length. it all depends on when you actually feel that you can calm down. your panic attack could last five minutes where as mine could last 45 minutes.
llamasandalpacas
August 7th, 2015 8:53am
Most panic attacks last 20-30 minutes and the worst of it (the peak) usually occurs around 10 minutes. However, you may experience bouts of it where you its bad and then you're a bit calmer and then it gets worse. You may in some cases also be calm after 20-30 minutes only for it to come back, making it last longer than that.
Anonymous
August 7th, 2015 5:13pm
It really all depends on the person. I don't think any two are exactly the same. Mine generally last around 5-10 minutes from what I'm told. But it feels like forever.
Anonymous
August 8th, 2015 11:55am
The length of a panic attack differs, depending on the severity of it. From past experiences, mine were different depending on how severe the panic attack was. Sometimes they last only seconds, sometimes they last for hours.
ELIask
August 8th, 2015 3:47pm
They usually reach their peak in 10 minutes. It can usually last more than that until 30 minutes but never an hour.
Sammy01
August 8th, 2015 10:45pm
It can vary massively depending on the situation and what caused it, but they're always pretty brief. It can help to remind yourself of that during an attack - this feels terrible, but it will be over soon.
Anonymous
August 9th, 2015 8:27am
I guess this is something that changes from person to person and from reason to reason. I would sayit's like 5-10 minutes if you get proper help from someone you love (That's also the best way to get over them).
leanonme93
August 9th, 2015 9:12pm
They can range from a minute to more than 5. However, panic and anxiety are two different things. While you can have a short outburst of panic ( heart racing, nausea, feeling like you're going to go crazy), the aftermath, which is anxiety hovers. This is mistaken as panic (worry of another attack, headache, stomach ache), when it's just anxious symptoms. Either way, these symptoms can be worked on with the right thinking skills and life changes.