How Long Do Anxiety Attacks Typically Last?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLengthPredictors of DurationCan It Go Away on Its Own?Regaining ControlPreventionTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Length

Predictors of Duration

Can It Go Away on Its Own?

Regaining Control

Prevention

Treatment

An anxiety attack is an acute (short-term) episode when you experience sensations of fear, a racing heart rate, chest pain, and other symptoms that can last minutes to days.It is similar to a panic attack when you experience an intense, severe, and abrupt surge of panic that typically last five to 20 minutes.

However, the term “anxiety attack” is not well-defined, and the term is often used interchangeably with “panic attack.”

Length of Anxiety Episodes

Unlike panic attacks, which are defined in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5) as a part of panic disorder, anxiety attacks are not well-defined, nor are they part of an official diagnosis.When people say “anxiety attack,” they may be referring to panic attacks, but the term can also encompass more moderate or longer episodes of heightened anxiety symptoms.

Panic attacks peak within several minutes.Most people describe them as intense and short-term episodes of high anxiety, lasting five to 20 minutes.No formal definition of “panic attack” includes how long one lasts.

Anxiety attack, on the other hand, is a more ambiguous term. It’s possible that you could have an episode of heightened anxiety that lasts hours to several days.

Can Panic Attacks Last for Days?No, panic attacks are generally seen as acute episodes involving extreme, intense anxiety symptoms, such as:Chest painChokingDizziness or faintnessFeeling like you’ve lost control, are dying, or having a heart attackHot flashesHyperventilatingNauseaRacing thoughtsTrembling or shaking

Can Panic Attacks Last for Days?

No, panic attacks are generally seen as acute episodes involving extreme, intense anxiety symptoms, such as:Chest painChokingDizziness or faintnessFeeling like you’ve lost control, are dying, or having a heart attackHot flashesHyperventilatingNauseaRacing thoughtsTrembling or shaking

No, panic attacks are generally seen as acute episodes involving extreme, intense anxiety symptoms, such as:

Do I Have Anxiety? How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms

Predictors of How Long Episodes Last

Panic disorder, in which a person has repeated panic attacks, is known for being unpredictable. People who experience panic attacks often report that they come on suddenly and may not have an identifiable trigger. These usually last less than half an hour.

Other types of anxiety episodes may last longer. For example, specific personality characteristics (like introversion andneuroticism) and stressful life events may contribute toanxiety symptomsor a condition likegeneralized anxiety disorder(GAD).GAD can come with episodes of heightened symptoms lasting days.

It’s not always possible to predict how long an episode of anxiety will last, but understanding what contributes to your anxiety may help.

Some potential triggers for heightened anxiety include:

If these factors are not resolved, either through therapy, altering your environment, or other means, this could contribute to ongoing anxiety.

Can Anxiety Go Away on Its Own?

Anxiety can resolve on its own. However, anxiety resolution depends on the underlying causes of anxiety.

In the short term, once whatever your body perceives as a threat (e.g., giving a performance) goes away, your nervous system will regulate itself. However, if you have GAD, panic disorder, or another type ofanxiety disorder, you’ll be more prone to repeated episodes of anxiety in the future.

Research shows that anxiety disorders are the least common in older age groups (above age 65).Scientists theorize that even without treatment, some anxiety disorders can dissipate with age

However, seekingtreatment for anxietyis essential. Learning coping mechanisms for anxiety allows you to live a freer life, have control over your anxiety, and have a better quality of life.

Ways to Regain Control During Episodes

Feeling like you’ve lost control of your body, mind, and life is a hallmark sign of an anxiety attack.

One of the best ways to regain control during an episode is to observe your physical sensations of anxiety. Speak positive mantras to yourself like “It’s OK that I’m feeling anxious,” “These feelings are temporary,” or “Anxiety doesn’t last forever.” This teaches your nervous system that you can handle anxiety and retrains your brain to be less anxious the next time.

Other strategies for regaining control during an episode of anxiety include:

How to Prevent an Anxiety Attack

Should You Avoid Your Anxiety Attack Triggers?You might think that avoiding anxiety triggers, such as social situations, driving, or being in public, will prevent an anxiety attack. However, avoiding your triggers can worsen anxiety in the future.Try to expose yourself to situations that cause you anxiety in small doses.

Should You Avoid Your Anxiety Attack Triggers?

You might think that avoiding anxiety triggers, such as social situations, driving, or being in public, will prevent an anxiety attack. However, avoiding your triggers can worsen anxiety in the future.Try to expose yourself to situations that cause you anxiety in small doses.

What to Do If Your Anxiety Is Not Improving

Summary

Anxiety attacks can last several minutes up to several days. The term “anxiety attack” refers to an episode of heightened anxiety. This might be a short but intense panic attack lasting 10 minutes, or it could be a 24-hour period of increased anxiety symptoms. It’s important not to completely avoid whatever is causing your anxiety because that could make your symptoms worse.

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Panic disorder and panic attacks.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders,5th ed., text rev. (DSM-5 TR).Mind.Anxiety and panic attacks.Dong J, Xiao T, Xu Q, et al.Anxious personality traits: perspectives from basic emotions and neurotransmitters.Brain Sciences. 2022;12(9):1141. doi: 10.3390/brainsci12091141Bandelow B, Michaelis S.Epidemiology of anxiety disorders in the 21st century.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2015;17(3):327-335. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.3/bbandelowNational Health Service Inform.How to deal with panic and anxiety.Klevebrant L, Frick A.Effects of caffeine on anxiety and panic attacks in patients with panic disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.General Hospital Psychiatry. 2022;74:22-31. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2021.11.005Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Anxiety won’t kill you.

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Panic disorder and panic attacks.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders,5th ed., text rev. (DSM-5 TR).Mind.Anxiety and panic attacks.Dong J, Xiao T, Xu Q, et al.Anxious personality traits: perspectives from basic emotions and neurotransmitters.Brain Sciences. 2022;12(9):1141. doi: 10.3390/brainsci12091141Bandelow B, Michaelis S.Epidemiology of anxiety disorders in the 21st century.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2015;17(3):327-335. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.3/bbandelowNational Health Service Inform.How to deal with panic and anxiety.Klevebrant L, Frick A.Effects of caffeine on anxiety and panic attacks in patients with panic disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.General Hospital Psychiatry. 2022;74:22-31. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2021.11.005Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Anxiety won’t kill you.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Academy of Family Physicians.Panic disorder and panic attacks.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders,5th ed., text rev. (DSM-5 TR).Mind.Anxiety and panic attacks.Dong J, Xiao T, Xu Q, et al.Anxious personality traits: perspectives from basic emotions and neurotransmitters.Brain Sciences. 2022;12(9):1141. doi: 10.3390/brainsci12091141Bandelow B, Michaelis S.Epidemiology of anxiety disorders in the 21st century.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2015;17(3):327-335. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.3/bbandelowNational Health Service Inform.How to deal with panic and anxiety.Klevebrant L, Frick A.Effects of caffeine on anxiety and panic attacks in patients with panic disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.General Hospital Psychiatry. 2022;74:22-31. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2021.11.005Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Anxiety won’t kill you.

American Academy of Family Physicians.Panic disorder and panic attacks.

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders,5th ed., text rev. (DSM-5 TR).

Mind.Anxiety and panic attacks.

Dong J, Xiao T, Xu Q, et al.Anxious personality traits: perspectives from basic emotions and neurotransmitters.Brain Sciences. 2022;12(9):1141. doi: 10.3390/brainsci12091141

Bandelow B, Michaelis S.Epidemiology of anxiety disorders in the 21st century.Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience. 2015;17(3):327-335. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.3/bbandelow

National Health Service Inform.How to deal with panic and anxiety.

Klevebrant L, Frick A.Effects of caffeine on anxiety and panic attacks in patients with panic disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.General Hospital Psychiatry. 2022;74:22-31. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2021.11.005

Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Anxiety won’t kill you.

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