Some people, especially those with an underlying anxiety disorder, may experience sustained anxiety for hours, days, or even weeks at a time. Panic attacks, however, typically last between 5 and 30 minutes, with symptoms peaking within the first few minutes.

While the terms are often used interchangeably, a "true" panic attack usually peaks within 10 minutes and begins to dissipate shortly after, rarely lasting more than 30 minutes in its most acute phase. However, an "anxiety attack"—which is often characterized by a build-up of stressors rather than a sudden "bolt from the blue"—can last for hours or even days in the form of "prolonged distress" or high-arousal tension. During the peak of a 30-minute attack, a person may experience high-fidelity physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, and a sense of impending doom. After the physical symptoms subside, a "hangover" effect of fatigue and mental fog can linger for several hours. In 2026, mental health professionals emphasize that while the "attack" itself is temporary, the "anticipatory anxiety" about having another one can create a persistent cycle. Techniques like "box breathing" or the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method are commonly recommended to shorten the duration of the acute phase by signaling to the nervous system that there is no immediate physical threat.