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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
bookworm4
December 31st, 2015 9:57am
it usually lasts about somewhere between 10 to 20 minutes for me as i try to calm myself down using the techniques ive learnt for myself.. which can be trying to focus on my breathing... listening to calming music..
gentleDreamer72
December 31st, 2015 10:32am
A panic attack usually lasts about ten or twenty minutes. Most of my panic attacks last about ten minutes, and then it takes me an hour or two to completely calm down.
Anonymous
January 1st, 2016 3:34am
It really depends on the person and how severe the attack is. It can last for a short time or a long time.
AD20
January 1st, 2016 8:22am
It honestly all depends on the situation you are going through and how you are. There is really no way to tell you how long it will last.
Shunyata
January 1st, 2016 8:17pm
There's no specific time of a panic attack - typically not more than 90 minutes. They can't last too long, because your body would be really tired if it went on for a long time.
Anonymous
January 2nd, 2016 5:47am
Only a few minutes at most; generally, ten minutes at the absolute max. There may be aftereffects for up to a few hours after the attack, such as restlessness and negative emotions, but the most severe symptoms will abate after a few minutes.
Kryssy88
January 2nd, 2016 4:59pm
They can last quite a while. try slowing down your breathing. Take deep breathes in thew your nose and out threw your mouth , ten times. Count to 50, say your colors out loud, say the alphabet. do some kind of activity to get your mind off of what ever it is that is giving you this panic attack
Pat
January 2nd, 2016 10:00pm
A panic attack can last for less than a minute or it can last several minutes. There is no official limit for long a panic attack can last, but they do indeed end eventually. This can be something that is helpful to keep in mind if you are experiencing one. It doesn't last forever.
Anonymous
January 3rd, 2016 3:26pm
Most panic attacks last 20-30 minutes, and very rarely last more than an hour. They tend to reach their peak after about 10-15 minutes. That said, the resulting emotions can last much longer. While the hyperventilation and uncontrollable worry might end, they can be fatiguing, and they can really offset the rest of your day, or even week.
SilentSerenityy
January 3rd, 2016 5:15pm
It varies from person to person. It's usually up to a maximum of 20 minutes but it can be longer for some people.
Anonymous
January 3rd, 2016 11:17pm
A panic attack is, from my experience, a bout of tension, and fear, where the person suffering the attack is rendered without much power over themselves. Thus, an attack cannot last forever, but doesnt have to be particularly short. So my best guess would be from fifteen-twenty minutes to a few hours.
Everyonecares
January 6th, 2016 5:28am
A panic attack doesnt last that long if you know how to handle it properly, just take deep breaths, and grab a glass of water.
TheForce19
January 7th, 2016 4:30am
They reach their peak in about 10 minutes. They just tend to come. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes for them to subside, in most panic attacks.
positiveLove82
- Expert in Panic Attacks
January 7th, 2016 4:42am
It depends on the severity. They can last from a couple of minutes to a few hours. It's best to breathe and find something soothing to take your mind off of it.
Anonymous
January 7th, 2016 3:40pm
A panic attack will not last longer than 20 minutes, if you do proper breathing & mindfulness exercises. Remember, a panic attack is just your brain going into an overdrive mode and fooling your body into thinking you are in danger, when you aren't really. Panic attacks are conquerable, and they will always, always end, no matter what.
Dolores16782
January 8th, 2016 12:40am
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.
friendlyUnicorn16
January 8th, 2016 3:41pm
It's different for everyone. Some people have it for few minutes, while some other people can have it for an hour or more.
Anonymous
January 9th, 2016 1:56pm
Panic attacks last as long as you are panicking. To stop them you need to take deep breathes, think about something else/ distract yourself and just calm down becuase it will be okay in the end
Anonymous
January 9th, 2016 3:07pm
Panic attacks may last anywhere from 5-20 minutes, depending on the severity of the panic attack and how you deal with it.
Victoriaxx
January 9th, 2016 8:45pm
Panic Attacks vary but normally they last for about 15-35 minutes. It all just depends on the person and how serious the loss of breath is.
Catt3456
January 9th, 2016 9:56pm
well for my personal experience around half an hour, but it depends on the situation and the person of course
ThatSweetGuy2511
January 10th, 2016 7:29pm
I've had minor panic attacks that lasted up to 10 - 15 minutes... I've had major panic attacks that lasted for 30 minutes or even more! I think it depends on the person and what they're anxious about. But for the most part It's less than 30 minutes.
HopeAlways16
January 13th, 2016 10:55am
It depends. I can only talk from my personal experience and I have to say that through 3 years of panic disorder I had panic attacks that came in second and also had gone away in few seconds but once or twice I had panic attack that lasted almost half an hour but it's only because I tried to hide it and ignore it.
Crest
January 14th, 2016 3:36am
Depends from person to person, and it varies widely. (There, done, way short of 100 characters. Why do you make me do this?)
DreamyElizabeth
January 15th, 2016 1:48am
it can be just a few minutes or a little bit longer, you just have to focus in the fact that it will pass, breathe, just breathe
musicalForest17
January 20th, 2016 2:13pm
It really depends on how bad your anxiety is at the time. For me, my panic attacks can last about an hour. But some of my friends only have panic attacks that last about ten minutes.
ughhitshaley
January 21st, 2016 8:14am
a panic attack last within 20 to 30 minutes, and they rarely last more than an hour but panic attacks hit their peak at 10 min
thewallflowerlea
January 21st, 2016 9:59am
There is no limit, but often its like 2-10 minutes. You should sit down relaxe and after it's over listen to music por something like this
Anonymous
January 22nd, 2016 8:33am
It begins hours after and it may last weeks and months,sometimes years if you didn't attend it to find professional help.
Anonymous
January 24th, 2016 5:13pm
Usually the worst of it is about 10 minutes. If you ever need coping techniques or you are struggling please feel free to contact me