Panicking is a state of extreme fear or anxiety that can lead to confusion and loss of control. There are several synonyms for panicking that can be used to describe this feeling, including freaking out, becoming hysterical, experiencing a meltdown, having a nervous breakdown, feeling overwhelmed, getting agitated, becoming distraught, and feeling anxious. Panicking can also be described as having an anxiety attack, suffering from a panic attack, or having a phobic reaction. These words can be used interchangeably to describe the intense emotional state that occurs when someone is panicking, whether it's due to a specific event or a more generalized feeling of stress and anxiety.