How frequent are anxiety attacks usually?
266 Answers
Moderated by Sarah Robb, LISW-S (Licensed Independent Social Worker, Supervisor Designation) and LICDC (Licenced Chemical Dependency Counselor)
Updated: May 6, 2022
ArabellaHazeldine
on
Jun 27, 2019
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I haven’t had many anxiety attacks but the only ones I have had are when I was worried about what my parents or partner might think about my job. I have always felt better when I told the truth and came clean to them. I know this might not be a possibility to some people. But trust me, it wasn’t the best for me either. It depends what you want for yourself. I am very happy with my career choice and the happiest I have ever been, my friends support me also. If you experience anxiety attacks please just keep in a comfortable place and keep yourself safe.
CareBear012303
on
Jul 12, 2019
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It really depends on the person and their triggers. I've seen it anywhere from 5-6 times per month depending on the person. For me, my attacks happen every once in a while. It really depends on a) what your triggers are and b) what is going on in your life to cause the attacks. If you can pinpoint the triggers, it's easier to stop or slow down the attacks because you know how to remove yourself from the situation. Yes it's hard finding out what your triggers are, but once you have a hold on them, it gets way better.
zeromind
on
Sep 21, 2019
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Anxiety attacks depend on the triggers. The first step is to identify those triggers, for example crowds, public speaking, social gatherings, exams, workplace issues, health issues, relationship problems etc. These are situations where the person has fear of uncertain outcomes. It’s often involved with muscle tension and a general feeling of uneasiness. Symptoms include fatigue, hypervigilance, restlessness and irritability. Anxiety is often related to a specific situation. It tends to build up and continue for some time. If you know when to recognize the signs that you are stressed or overly anxious, you may be able to take some action. Headaches, an inability to sleep, or overeating may all be signs that it is time to take a break or ask for help. If you can learn to recognize what makes you feel anxious, you may be able to take action. Perhaps you have taken on too many tasks? Can you ask someone to help? Does coffee or alcohol make it worse? Consider cutting down. As a first step, talk to a professional or a listener on 7cups.com about it.
politeMagic1163
on
Sep 27, 2019
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I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but mine usual come about 4 out of 7 days a week, and last around an hour at the longest. My sister’s happen more frequently and they last longer. She usually has them about every other day. Her’s also tend to last around 3 hours at the longest, and the shortest ones are about an hour. It really depends on how well you can calm yourself. The first few before I knew what they were for me lasted up-toward 2 and a half hours, the first lasting until said sister mentioned before found me. I’m not sure how long that particular one lasted.
3TryBreathing3
on
Oct 3, 2019
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It usually lasts from 5 to 20 minutes. But it may last even longer, up to a few hour If these attacks happen often they are called a panic disorder.
Anonymous
on
Oct 17, 2019
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It varies.
Some people have panic attacks once every few years, some have panic attacks several times per day.
At my worst I was having them almost every day, and occasionally more than once a day.
At my best (after diagnosis) I was having them a few times every few months.
Now, I'm having them a few times per week.
EdSAB
on
Oct 23, 2019
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Frequency of anxiety attacks vary depending on many different factors which are specific or unique to an individual. For example, frequency of anxiety attacks are dependent on how severe one's anxiety it, therefore, the more severe one's anxiety is the more frequent it may be. Other factors that can affect frequency of anxiety attacks are: environmental activity, magnitude of an upcoming event, one's preferences toward an expected outcome, how well plans are being carried out, etc.
Therefore, based on various factors that can contribute to how frequent one can have a anxiety attack, it can mean that some people can have anxiety attacks more frequently than others.
verilylovely
on
Nov 14, 2019
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Anxiety attacks, or panic attacks affect everyone differently and it is important to look at your specific circumstances and current state of mental health. Although there doesn't seem to be a timeline for how often anxiety/panic attacks occur. If you feel you are having frequent or prolonged anxiety attacks, it would be best to seek expert advice from your health care provider.
Cypris
on
Jan 3, 2020
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This can vary greatly from person to person. Every individual experiences anxiety differently and in a unique way, so it is impossible to give an average of how often people experience them. In lieu of this, anxiety attacks are triggered by different things for different people - usually in relation to the type of anxiety they have as well. This is why it is important to be understanding to those who feel as if they have anxiety or who claim that they've experienced an anxiety attack (or multiple of them), because there's a high chance that they're right even if what they describe isn't the usual way that anxiety attacks as perceived. Along with this, no matter the frequency of anxiety attacks, anxiety as a mental illness is serious and can be debilitating, and should be treated with care and understanding.
MissLisa
on
Feb 12, 2020
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How long is a piece of string? In other words there is no one correct answer. Anxiety attacks are unique to each individual and there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to anxiety attacks. What one person experiences, doesn't mean another person will experience the same. And no matter how frequent they are, does not mean they are any less frightening. Most panic attacks last between 5 to 20 minutes long but have been known to last up to one hour also. If you are concerned I would advise that you speak with your doctor or other medical professional such as a therapist.
fosteringhope
on
Jun 26, 2020
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It is different for different people, as unhelpful as that might sound. Some folks will go their whole lives without having a single anxiety attack, but some folks have multiple anxiety attacks per day. It is different from person to person and is often dependent on things like genetics, brain chemistry, etc.
I wish I could tell you “the normal amount is x anxiety attacks,†but that wouldn’t be true. The truth is that everyone is different, and all we can do is try to understand ourselves and what is usual for us as individuals.
Take care and be well! And please always feel free to reach out.
Anonymous
on
Jul 8, 2020
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Panic attacks vary an frequency. For some people they happen daily, and for some people they happen once every couple months/years/weeks/days. It just depends on the person. For me personally, they often happen sporadically and not super often. They can be triggered by something or nothing. So if you ever feel yourself starting to feel like you are about to have a panic attack, it’s important to step back, do a grounding technique, and try to focus your breathing. More often than not, trying to ground yourself before the panic attack can help it not be as bad, or not as strong/difficult.
Anonymous
on
Aug 1, 2020
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This varies for everyone! Some people will never have one, some people get them rarely, but some people with anxiety and other related conditions (such as panic disorder) can get them much more frequently! There is usually a trigger, but this can't always be identified - so don't worry if you can't always tell what is causing these. Panic attacks can be managed with breathing exercises, relaxation, distraction techniques, various types of therapy (such as CBT) and most importantly - talking about them! There are listeners here on 7 Cups 24/7 to talk if you wish to do so.
Anonymous
on
Aug 7, 2020
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Anxiety attacks can vary from person to person, the symptoms and the time taken to come back from it. Typically, anxiety attacks peak at the ten minute mark and they will continue to for around 20 more minutes sometimes more,. Usually anxiety attacks end within an hour. The frequency varies from person to person and the amount of anxiety this person may be dealing with. If someone feels themselves in situations that cause more of a fight or flight response, they will find themselves suffering with more anxiety attacks. They stem from stress, worry, and fear so anytime one of these emotions is triggered, an anxiety attack may also be triggered.
Anonymous
on
Aug 22, 2020
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The number of attacks you have is based upon how severe your condition is. Some have attacks once or twice a month, while others have them serveral times a week. At first attacks come "out of the blue" but over time a person may come to expect them in certain situations. If a person begins to avoid these situations due to fear of a panic attack they may also have agoraphobia. Sime people suffer with panic attacks on a daily or weekly basis. Some symptoms of anxiety attacks are feeling of lossing control or going crazy, chest pain, feelings of passing out, and trouble breathing or choking sensation.
KatieTheWingedOne
on
Sep 4, 2020
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The amount can vary from person to person, given the condition and stress you're under but usually they can be as frequent as several times a week or only a few times a month (if any more than that it could be a serious panic disorder, and the most appropriate treatment would be seeing a therapist :))
It can also depend on the severity of each attack and how many stressors or 'triggers' you see frequently, unfortunately it's rather overwhelming in a multitude and can be hard to cope with if its incredibly common. I hope this helps a little more.
Anonymous
on
Sep 11, 2020
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I get panic attacks usually around 2-3 times a month, When I experience my panic attacks I usually experience somatic symptoms. It starts with mild nausea, heart palpitations, and shakiness. It often ends with me getting cold sweats and throwing up. I can prevent it from escalating when I practice slow breathing and placing myself in a positive head space. If I am able to calm myself down before the more intense symptoms kick in then I usually am able to calm myself in 5 minutes. If it gets really bad and I am vomiting it can last anywhere from 15 min to over an hour
Anonymous
on
Sep 13, 2020
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The frequency of panic attacks really can vary based on so many factors. Your surroundings, environment, relationships, current mental state, your life story. When I was younger I had several panic attacks within a day on bad days. How surrounded are you by triggers? How are you coping? Are you receiving help? I don't think there really is a "usually" answer here because I don't think there is any kind of base we can compare ourselves to. Our own experiences will always be unique. Now they're rare. I have medications, coping skills, and have learned to recognize my own personal warning signs, so I am able to separate, regroup, and prevent them more often.
caringPuppy404
on
Oct 15, 2020
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It depends on the person, their body response and personality, not forgetting their environment. Some people get anxiety attacks 2 times a week minimum while others get panic attacks 5 times a week maximum.It all the depends on the person's ability to control their emotions and situations and the kind of support they have...anxiety attacks can be minimized to eliminated with the right mental, social support and a healthy environment . To minimize anxiety attacks one should undertake mental training to strengthen control of emotions and manage the type of foods they eat cause it has an effect on your brain and hormones released
Anonymous
on
Nov 8, 2020
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Anxiety attacks are different for everyone. Some people experience them once a month and some experience them once a day. I get anxiety attacks about once a week but it’s always different. It usually depends on what’s going on around me or what other people around me are going through. Anxiety attacks are really scary and sometimes feel like they won’t end. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and you will reach it no matter how long it takes. Timing is different for everyone. It may take some only a few minutes to calm down and some people need hours.
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