Panic attack vs Anxiety attack are sometimes used interchangeably. This makes sense since they both have some of the same symptoms. But professionals in mental health use these terms for different symptoms and disorders, and they mean different things.
Anxiety Attack
Anxiety attack is a normal response of your body to stress. It’s a feeling of worry or fear about what’s going to happen. For example, some people might feel scared and nervous about going to a job interview or giving a speech on the first day of school. But you may have an anxiety disorder if your anxiety is very strong, lasts for at least 6 months, and gets in the way of your life.
Types Of Anxiety Attack
Anxiety is a key part of a number of illnesses. These things are:
- Panic disorder- This means that you have panic attacks often and at odd times.
- Phobia- This is a strong fear of a particular thing, situation, or action.
- Social Anxiety Disorder- This is a very strong fear of how other people will judge you in social situations.
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder- This means you keep having crazy thoughts that make you do the same things over and over.
- Separation Anxiety Disorder- This means that you don’t like being away from home or your family.
- Illness Anxiety Disorder- This is health anxiety, which used to be called hypochondria.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder- This is anxiety caused by something scary.
- Major Depressive Disorders- Depression and anxiety go together in a strong way.
- Chronic disorder- Taking care of health problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes can cause anxiety symptoms.
- Inflammatory Disorder- Anxiety can cause long-term swelling and diseases like arthritis.
- Substance Use Disorders- Many people with anxiety try to treat their symptoms on their own.
- Chronic Pain- People who have pain that doesn’t go away often have anxiety.
Symptoms Of Anxiety attack
Anxiety feels different to each person who goes through it. You might get butterflies in your stomach or have a racing heart. You might feel like you don’t have any control over your body and mind.
You might feel fear and worry all the time, or you might be afraid of a certain place or thing. There are times when you might have a panic attack.
- Anxious Thoughts or Beliefs
- Restlessness
- Concentration Issues
- Sleep Issues
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Body Aches
Panic Attack
Panic attacks come on quickly and are marked by strong, often overwhelming fear. They come with very hard-to-deal-with physical symptoms, like a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, or feeling sick. Panic attacks can happen without a clear reason.
Anyone can have a panic attack, but if you have more than one, it could be a sign of panic disorder, a mental health condition that causes sudden and repeated panic attacks.
Types Of Panic Attack
Most of the time, the exact cause of a panic attack is not known. In some cases, panic attacks are caused by a mental health problem like:
- Agoraphobia or Phobias
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Stress Attack
Symptoms Of Panic Attack
When you have a panic attack, your sympathetic nervous system kicks in. This makes you feel the “fight or flight” response when you’re in danger.
An attack of panic can happen quickly and without warning. Its symptoms may start slowly and get worse over the next ten minutes. One or more of the following could be among them:
- Chest Pain
- Swallowing Difficulty
- Breathing Difficulty
- Hyperventilating
- Fast Heartbeat
- Faint
- Chills
- Shivering
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Stomach Pain
- Fear Of Death
Also Read- How to Sleep Naturally: 18 Tips to Better Sleep Habits
Differences Between Anxiety Attacks And Panic Attack
Panic attacks and anxiety attacks can feel the same and have many of the same physical and emotional signs. Both anxiety and panic attacks can happen at the same time. Both panic attacks and anxiety attacks can cause both physical and mental symptoms, such as:
- Apprehension and worry distress fear of dying or losing control a sense of being detached from the world or from oneself.
- A racing heartbeat or heart palpitations.
- Pain in the chest, shortness of breath, tightness in the throat or a feeling of choking, dry mouth, sweating, chills, or hot flashes are all signs of heart disease.
- Shaking or shivering tingling or numbness.
- Nausea, stomach pain, or an upset stomach Headache feeling lightheaded or faint.
Causes Of An Anxiety Attack VS Panic Attack
Unexpected panic attacks don’t have any clear outside causes. Anxiety and panic attacks that are expected can be brought on by the same things. Some of the most common causes are:
a stressful job driving social situations
- Agoraphobia (fear of open or crowded spaces), Claustrophobia (fear of small spaces), and Ccrophobia (fear of heights).
- Memories or triggers of traumatic events.
- Heart disease, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, or asthma are examples of long-term illnesses.
- Recurrent pain.
- Alcohol or drug withdrawal.
- Medication and supplements with caffeine.
- Thyroid problems.
Factors Panic Attack VS Anxiety Attack
Both anxiety and panic attacks can be caused by similar things. Among these are:
- As a child or an adult, going through or seeing a traumatic event. Going through a stressful life event, like the death of a loved one or a divorce. Having ongoing stress and worries, like work, family problems, or money problems.
- living with a long-term illness or one that could kill them
- having a personality that makes them anxious having another mental health problem like depression
- having close family members who use drugs or alcohol and also having anxiety or panic disorders
- People who have anxiety have a higher chance of having panic attacks. But just because you have anxiety doesn’t mean you’ll have a panic attack.
Diagnosing a panic attack vs. an anxiety attack
Doctors can’t tell what’s causing anxiety attacks, but they can:
- Symptoms of anxiety
- anxiety disorders
- Panic disorders and attacks
- A doctor will ask about your symptoms and run tests to rule out other health problems with similar symptoms, such as heart disease or thyroid problems.
To get a diagnosis, a doctor may conduct:
- a medical checkup
- blood tests
- a test of the heart, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- a psychological evaluation or questionnaire
- Treatment and medication for panic attacks vs. anxiety attacks
Panic Attack VS Anxiety Attack Treatment And Medication
For anxiety and panic disorders, talking therapies can often include more than one of the following.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy- This type of therapy can help you think differently about things that worry you. A counselor can help you figure out ways to deal with your triggers when they happen.
- Cognitive therapy- This can help you find, reframe, and get rid of the unhelpful thoughts that often cause anxiety disorders.
- Exposure therapy- involves putting you in situations that make you scared or anxious in a controlled way. This can help you learn to face your fears in a new way.
- Relax Techniques- These include deep breathing, guided imagery, progressive relaxation, biofeedback, and autogenic training. Some of these can be talked through with a doctor.
Treatment
Talk to a doctor or mental health professional to find out what you can do to prevent and treat symptoms of anxiety and panic. A treatment plan and sticking to it when an attack happens can help you feel like you’re in charge.
If you start to feel anxious or panicky, try the following:
- Take slow, deep breaths- If you feel your breathing speeding up, pay attention to each breath you take in and out. As you breathe in, feel your stomach fill up with air. Count down from four as you let out your breath. Repeat until your breaths get slower.
- Recognize what you’re going through and accept it- If you’ve ever had a panic or anxiety attack, you know how difficult it can be. Remember that the symptoms will go away, and you’ll be fine.
- Mindfulness-based treatments- Mindfulness is a way to keep your thoughts in the present moment. Mindfulness means paying attention to thoughts and feelings without reacting to them.
- Use relaxation techniques- Like guided imagery, aromatherapy, and relaxing your muscles. If you’re feeling anxious or having a panic attack, try to do things that calm you down. You can relax by closing your eyes, taking a bath, or using lavender.
Medication
Here are some examples of medicines your doctor might give you:
- Antidepressants- These include serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
- Beta-blockers- These medicines can help with some physical symptoms, like a fast heart rate.
- Anti-anxiety drugs- These include benzodiazepines, which are a type of drug that makes you sleepy and can quickly stop your symptoms.
Lifestyle
Changes to your lifestyle can help you avoid anxiety and panic attacks and make them less severe when they do happen:
- Reduce and deal with the things that cause you to stress.
- Get regular exercise.
- Try yoga or meditation.
- Eat a well-rounded meal.
- Limit consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and drugs.
Conclusion
Anxiety attacks are not the same as panic attacks. Even though these words are often used interchangeably, the DSM-5 only talks about panic attacks.
Anxiety and panic attacks have many of the same symptoms, causes, and risk factors. But panic attacks tend to be more intense and are often accompanied by more serious physical symptoms. If anxiety or panic symptoms are getting in the way of your daily life, you should talk to a doctor.
Also Read-