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How long does a panic attack last?

268 Answers
Last Updated: 01/18/2021 at 11:40pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Tracy-Kate Teleke, PsyD, M.A., LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist

I assist adults and couples in CA experiencing relationship challenges and interpersonal struggles including anxiety, depression, and a myriad of other life challenges.

Top Rated Answers
kt60051
September 23rd, 2014 4:43am
Panic attacks don't usually last long. The problem can be that you then anticipate the next one with a feeling of dread. Coming up with methods for coping is key to getting a handle on panic attacks.
Lizzybelle
October 15th, 2014 3:11pm
Based on my own personal experience a panic attack can last from a few minutes to a few days. Luckily I have a dog that can tell when I am about to have one and he stays by my side and will bat at me with his paw until I sit down and pet him, it seems to calm both of us down.
HawaiianAir
November 7th, 2017 12:43am
A panic attack can last for anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 minutes. Most panic attacks "peak" about 10 minutes in, and most of them end within 20 or 30 minutes. VERY rarely can a panic attack last as long as one hour, but is is possible. For the person experiencing the panic attack, minutes can seem like hours and it's painful either way.
Gracey
October 26th, 2014 2:22pm
Panic attacks are different for everyone and can last for different amounts of time depending on the situation, the individual and whether they are able to get their breathing back on track. For example if i have one during something like a blood test i can be okay after 20 minutes or so, but often it can be at least over an hour.
WhisperingPiano
December 30th, 2015 10:23pm
Everyone is different and every panic attack is different. It can last a few minutes, to maybe an hour. Hopefully not too long though. Best thing to do is take deep long breathes. I find that putting my hand on my belly and feeling the air extending it and then leaving it, really helps.
bouncyWriting56
November 2nd, 2014 6:56pm
A panic attack can last anywhere between 2 minutes and 10 minutes during it's peak; after this time, the adrenline will begin to wear off, although you can still feel anxious with some symptoms (e.g., palpitations, shaking) for up to two hours afterwards.
Anonymous
July 11th, 2015 8:16pm
around 30 minutes to an hour it depends on individuality so but you keep doing brething count 1004 , 1003, 1002, 1001 just backwards it really help and breathe in between it helps me :) i got this advice from a counsellor :)
animalTurtle76
August 5th, 2015 6:05pm
A panic attack can last from fie minutes to twenty minutes. It's always important to remember it can't last longer than twenty minutes. Though you may experience a series of panic attacks, for say an hour, they will be no longer than twenty minutes
colourfulUnicorns83
May 18th, 2016 11:29pm
Some can last for a few minutes, while others can last up to a few hours. It depends on the person, as well as how high anxiety or stress is at that time.
Greatlistener87
December 25th, 2015 3:50pm
It depends on how drastic the panic attack is. Always remember that during the attack give yourself some space and time to get over the attack. Always calm down and take it 1 step at a time and always remember it will end just relax and breath.
Mortley88
August 8th, 2015 1:38am
Having had a few, although not for several years, I'd say they last anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 minutes, with 15 minutes being an average and median.
Anonymous
December 19th, 2015 3:54am
it all depends... from my experience, maybe anytime between a minute to 10 minutes. depends on people and what kind...
Anonymous
March 18th, 2016 3:04am
It depends on the person. Some panic attacks can last minutes or some can last for hours. It just depends on how the person works.
CrystalFriend
August 9th, 2015 3:58pm
A panic attack can last or seem to last for a while. The quicker you can realize it is a panic attack and start talking yourself down, while doing breathing exercises the quicker you can make it stop. It is a scary experience and it can be hard to calm down from. The breathing exercises and the self talk can help.
magicalWhisper61
August 16th, 2015 11:51am
It can vary for different people - the key is to learn how to manage them. Once you come to terms with how you may be able to control your panic attacks, or how you can prevent them, you will be able reduce your chances of having them. It all takes time but it's completely possible.
DragonEye
December 30th, 2015 7:10am
That totally depends on the person, so there really isn't a viable answer for that. However, with the right tricks, company, and learning how to handle yourself in these situations you can really cut it down. Hope that helps. :)
Anonymous
August 16th, 2015 6:39pm
For me, generally around 15-20 minutes. If anything, panicking so intensely for that long wears you out.
BlueSky42
November 24th, 2015 11:57pm
I've experienced anxiety my whole life and they can last hours but they only last as long as you let it. Panic attacks stem from yourself and they go back to your head and once you are able to take control and remember that thing's are not as bad and as scary as they seem those panic attacks will get shorter and shorter and eventually fade away completely. Given proper self nourishment and time.
rainyComfort51
December 13th, 2015 7:49am
It really depends on the situation the person is in but normal I would guess about 3-6 mins or less
Anonymous
December 16th, 2015 9:30am
For me, generally about 2-5 minutes, but that's depending on the severity of what triggered the panic attack.
SpookyBlue
December 23rd, 2015 6:43pm
A panic attack usually only lasts for a few minutes, maybe 15-20 at most. Sometimes they can go away and then come back, go away and then come back. Usually breathing deeply into a paper bag will help it go away faster, as it regulates your breathing and helps some symptoms of it.
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.
Anonymous
December 30th, 2015 4:06am
Well It depends on who the person is and what is causing the panic attack. If the panic attack is severe it will last maybe a couple hours where if its not so severe it will only last a couple of minutes
violetskies
December 27th, 2015 4:02pm
usually no more than fifteen or twenty minutes. Although a lot of people experience much shorter ones, maybe only a couple of minutes.
Anonymous
December 26th, 2015 3:12am
I can't speak for every panic attack sufferer, but mine last about 15+ minutes. My longest one was around 30. It's really recovering from the panic attack that is miserable for me because that can take me a couple of hours. I would say the "average" is 10-15 minutes.
Kellie
December 25th, 2015 6:54pm
A panic attack is different for every person. You can never determine the length of a panic attack because it depends on the person and the situation.
tranquilBerry61
December 23rd, 2015 8:50pm
It depends how severe it is usually they only mast up to about 5-10 minutes. However if you use breathing techniques they usually end quicker as you calm down
Anonymous
December 18th, 2015 3:59am
There is no set time. It depends on what your trigger is, the individual, how intense it is to name just a few factors.
Anonymous
December 16th, 2015 8:54pm
panic attacks can as a while ive had a panic attack last a couple of hours it varies alot with different people they may only last a minute or two
AllyM
December 17th, 2015 6:09pm
There is no set time for a panic attack to last but the best thing to make it end quickly is to breathe, count to 10, and take deep breaths. You are really the only one that can help yourself, so take time to help yourself when you're going through tough times. Take care of yourself and spoil yourself! And the best thing to do is to try and take time out of every day to relax.