It can feel like you’re having a heart attack: Your chest tightens, you have trouble catching your breath and nausea starts to take over. You might feel shaky or disoriented. Something’s wrong — and the more you think about it, the worse the feeling becomes.
Each year, around 11 percent of Americans report having a panic attack, a sudden attack of fear that results in physical symptoms. Those who regularly experience them may also have a panic disorder, which includes the fear of having a panic attack and the resulting loss of control.