anxiety attack, an acute, psychobiological reaction manifested by intense anxiety and panic. Symptoms include palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, faintness, profuse diaphoresis, pallor of the face and extremities, GI discomfort, and an intense feeling of imminent doom or death. Attacks usually occur suddenly, last from a few seconds to an hour or longer, and vary in frequency from several times a day to once a month. Treatment consists of reassurance, desensitization statement, separation of the individual from anxiety-producing situations, administration of a sedative if necessary, and appropriate psychotherapy to identify the stresses perceived as threatening.
