Panic refers to an intense feeling of fear or anxiety that arises suddenly and overwhelms an individual. It often leads to irrational thoughts and impulsive actions.
Related terms
Anxiety disorder: A mental health condition characterized by excessive worry and fear about everyday situations, often leading to panic attacks.
Fight-or-flight response: The body's natural instinctive reaction when faced with immediate danger or threat; it prepares us either to confront or escape from the situation.
An extreme fear and avoidance of specific objects or situations (e.g., arachnophobia - fear of spiders), which can lead to panic-like reactions when encountered.