How Long Does A Panic Attack Last? The Facts

There are many causes of panic attacks and also a wide range of factors that determine how long a panic attack is going to last.  Everyone who has panic attacks has different experiences with them, and the durations vary from individual to individual.   This article is aimed to help you better understand the causes of your panic attacks and how long they typically last. 

Some panic attacks go away within a few seconds, while others continue for hours.  On average, people say that their panic attacks last for no more than a few minutes.  A number of factors contribute to the length of the attack, including your current mood and state of mind, the environment you're in at the time, and your natural ability to deal with what's happening to you. People who have a positive outlook and who don't currently have major stressors in their life often have shorter attacks than people who are experiencing a rocky phase or who are especially worried about certain aspects of their lives. 

Of course, the way you choose to deal with an attack can determine its length. If you have cooping strategies in place to help you deal with anxiety, you may be able to shorten the period of time an attack lasts.  It's important to know how to identify signs that anxiety is brewing within you that may lead to an attack, so that you can be emotionally prepared to handle it.  Anxiety and panic attacks produce certain clear-cut symptoms that you should understand, so that when they emerge you can take some basic precautions to alleviate the problem immediately.

You must remain calm during an attack in order to limit its duration, and not allow  yourself to become depressed or emotionally upset. A panic attack is temporary - eventually it will pass and it's important that you realize this.  So whenever you begin to feel anxious or nervous, remain calm and breathe deeply.  If you experience severe panic attacks you may need prescription medication to steady your nerves and help you stay calm. But anti-anxiety medications can be addictive, and there are many other natural methods and remedies to help people conquer their anxiety. 

Try to distract yourself from the source of the anxiety by getting involved in something that you find relaxing, such as some sort of physical activity, watching a movie, listening to music or spending time with friends.  

For some people, an attack can come and go in just a matter of seconds; for others, an attack may continue for an extended period of time without any relief.  The power of positive thinking is essential when dealing with panic attacks and learning how to overcome them so that you can live normally and without allowing anxiety to overpower you.

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