“How long can an anxiety attack last?”
I am a 63 year old male. I want to know how long can an anxiety attack last?
4 Answers
PsychiatristPsychiatrist
True DSM-V defined panic attacks typically last between 2 and 20 minutes. “Anxiety attack” is a lay phrase that people use more loosely and usually represents an anxiety response to a stressor - these more psychologically painful states can last much longer - hours sometimes depending upon the user of the term
It depends on the circumstances and the intensity. Sometimes anxiety goes on and on. Panic is usually episodic, but recurrent.
It varies from minutes to a few hours, but you need to be sure if it's anxiety, panic attacks, adverse reaction to medicine, or alcohol related rare type of hypertension.
If you are referring to a "panic episode" these episodes can last seconds to hours even days under certain circumstances. If you are having frequent or prolonged panic episodes then I would recommend you make an appointment to see your PCP for further evaluation.
