How frequent are anxiety attacks usually?
266 Answers
Moderated by Sarah Robb, LICDC (Licenced Chemical Dependency Counselor)
Updated: May 6, 2022
JourneyWithFriends
on
Jul 7, 2016
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For me anxiety (panic) attacks seem to come in groups. I will have 3 to 10 per week for several weeks and then for months at a time they become quite infrequent....maybe 1 per month. I have yet to figure out any rhyme nor reason for them, for the frequency in which they come or any actual cause.
The severity of the attacks also changes without a known cause; ranging from simple nervous shaking, to a full -blown attack with symptoms such as debilitating shakes, unclear thinking, overwhelming chest pains and shortness of breath and overwhelming racing thoughts; and worst of all thinking that I may be dying....over and over again.
My heart goes out to anyone who has these....no matter how mild or severe. That is the main reason I became a listener here - because with 25+ years with panic disorder I can fully empathize and can offer some solutions that have helped me ease them.
Blessings to all - especially those suffering with this condition.
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SMStar
on
Jul 9, 2016
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It can feel childish after the fact, but covering my face is my #1 reaction. Taking away all outside stimulation like that can allow me to focus on breathing and grounding myself. I recite my name, my age, where I am, what year it is, and continue onto affirmations from there.
Anonymous
on
Aug 18, 2016
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It depends on your own, personal anxiety records and sometimes it depends on why you do have anxiety.
Anonymous
on
Nov 9, 2016
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Everyone's anxiety is different. It also depends on the type of anxiety. If its constant and major, possible everyday unfortunately. But if its mild, it should only happen once in a while. Remember to try breathe slowly and think it will be okay! :)
VibrantCarousel26
on
Feb 22, 2018
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This can depend on one's personal experience, as well as the things that may trigger anxiety attacks. This also depends on how long an attack lasts. Every situation is different; some people may experience anxiety attacks of different magnitudes and durations every week, whereas others may go years between attacks. The important thing is to learn how to recognize and manage anxiety attacks.
Anonymous
on
Jun 14, 2018
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Anxiety attacks can be as frequently as everyday. This is not the usual case. It ranges from person to person. Usually this might be from once a week to a month.
Anonymous
on
Jun 29, 2016
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It depends on who you are! If you're more frequent to getting them, it could happen multiple times a day! If not, I usually get them about once a week
LetsCherishLife
on
May 26, 2018
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There is absolutely no rule for that. My therapist used to say you cant push people into some kind of pattern and I totally agree with this. Every case is different and individual. You might have serveral attacks a day or a week but others might also just have them a few times a year or even in their whole life. Whatever it is how it is and probably also depends on what causes them and you might be able to work on them and make them occure less frequently.
Melissame
on
May 26, 2018
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They can vary from person and depend on the situation too. If you are having them often they should not be ignored.
Anonymous
on
Dec 31, 2020
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It is important to make very clear that EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT.
Your experience and frequency of your anxiety attacks will be completely distinct from somebody else; some may experience them almost daily, others battle them only at certain point of the week/month. It can either last between a few minutes or up to an hour, depending on the individual and the mildness/severity of their anxiety or panic disorder. You should try and avoid comparing your case to others, because anxiety symptoms can occur for a variety of reasons.
For more information on how to cope with your symptoms, you can visit our guides on anxiety (https://www.7cups.com/anxiety-help/), panic attacks (https://www.7cups.com/panic-attacks-help-online/), or other conditions which apply to you through our 7 Cups Self-Help Guides list (https://www.7cups.com/supportGuides/selfHelpGuides.php).
Take care of yourself :)
RainLover
on
Feb 4, 2018
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It varies from person to person. To each person triggers can be different, so there's not one right answer to this question.
SupportivePaintings
on
Feb 28, 2018
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Usually anxiety attacks can range from how frequent they are just based on the person. You can have several a day if you are in a stressful environment or you can last months or years without them if you can figure out a way to control it.
Anonymous
on
Feb 28, 2018
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It varies from person to person some people get them a few times a day other people maybe once a week or a couple times a month there isn't a limit on it.
Cutechamomile
on
Feb 28, 2018
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I experience them anywhere from three times in an hour to twice a week to even once a month. It really depends on where I'm at.
Sintix
on
Mar 1, 2018
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It varies with every person. It could be just from a trigger. It could be at certain places, times, etc. The best thing to do is identify your triggers so you can face them/ avoid them until you can face them.
endearingLion70
on
Mar 1, 2018
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It depends on the person, the stress triggers and the severity of the problem It differs from one person to another
WantToHelpp
on
Mar 9, 2018
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It depends on the person, and their reasons for anxiety attacks. I have them almost once a week. But other may have them once a month. Some may have them everyday. Some may only have them when under extreme anxiety. It all depends on the person.
Anonymous
on
Mar 11, 2018
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It depends on how well you can identify and avoid triggers. Which gets better with time. Having someone to talk to about it helps too.
SweetStrawberry23
on
Mar 18, 2018
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the frequency of anxiety attacks is different for everyone. it can depend on your surroundings and how anxious you are.
Anonymous
on
Mar 28, 2018
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It depends on each person. Some people can have panic attacks every day whereas other people can have panic attacks only once every few weeks. I can't tell you about everyone, since everyone experiences things differently, but from experience, my panic attacks used to occur twice/three times a week before I went to therapy, and then less then once a week after. I had some friends who also experienced panic attacks around two times.
Hope this helps.

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