Panic Attack vs. Anxiety: Understanding the Key Differences
May 31, 2023
6 min read
We've all experienced feelings of worry, fear, and nervousness from time to time. However, these emotions can become overwhelming for some people, and they may find it challenging to cope with daily life. This is where anxiety and panic disorders come into the picture.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is characterized by feelings of unease, fear, or apprehension about an upcoming event or something with an uncertain outcome. It's a normal and often healthy emotion. However, when a person experiences intense, persistent, and excessive anxiety, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
Some anxiety symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances. Physical symptoms such as muscle tension, trembling, sweating, and nausea may also occur.
Anxiety can be triggered by various factors, such as stress, trauma, or a medical condition. People with anxiety disorders may have persistent fears or worries about everyday situations, such as social interactions, work, or personal relationships.
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a brief and intense episode of fear or discomfort that often reaches its peak within a matter of minutes. Attacks can be very frightening and debilitating, and they can occur unexpectedly or in response to a trigger, such as a phobia.
Most signs of a panic attack include rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, and feelings of dread or terror. Many people describe feeling like they are having a heart attack or are about to die.
Various factors, such as stress, caffeine, drugs, or a history of panic disorder, can trigger panic attacks. Individuals who suffer from panic disorder may experience apprehension regarding the possibility of having a panic attack or the aftermath that follows, leading them to avoid specific situations.
Panic or Anxiety? The Key Differences Explained
If you've ever experienced a sudden rush of intense fear or worry, you may have wondered if it was a panic attack or just another bout of anxiety. Both panic and anxiety are common mental health conditions that can significantly impact our daily lives.
Understanding these differences can help you seek appropriate treatment and manage your symptoms effectively.
Duration of symptoms: Anxiety symptoms can persist for days, weeks, or months, whereas panic attack symptoms usually subside within minutes or hours.
Intensity of symptoms: Panic attacks are generally more intense and sudden than anxiety attacks. Panic attacks can cause physical symptoms that may mimic a heart attack or other serious medical conditions.
Triggers: Anxiety attacks can be triggered by specific situations or stimuli, whereas panic attacks can occur unexpectedly or in response to a specific trigger.
Physical symptoms: While both anxiety and panic attacks can cause physical symptoms, panic attacks are typically more severe and sudden, whereas anxiety symptoms tend to be more long-lasting and chronic.
Psychological symptoms: People with anxiety disorders may experience excessive worry, nervousness, or fear about a situation or event. Panic attacks, on the other hand, may trigger a sense of impending doom or an intense feeling of terror.
While both conditions can be debilitating and disruptive to our daily lives, it's essential to understand the key differences between them so that appropriate treatment can be provided.
Effective Treatments for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Anxiety and panic attacks can be debilitating, but the great news is that there are treatments available to help you regain control of your life. These may include medication, therapy, or a combination of the two. Here are some helpful tips for managing your symptoms:
Breathing Techniques
Breathing techniques are a simple yet effective way to manage anxiety and panic attacks. Deep breathing exercises are crucial in calming and regulating your breaths during such episodes, which is important because hyperventilation (rapid breathing) can worsen symptoms.
Unwind and find your inner calm with a few minutes of quality deep breathing. Find a tranquil spot to sit down, loosen tight clothing if needed, close your eyes for ultimate relaxation—then slowly inhale through the nose till you hit the count of four before pausing briefly to hold in that air. Finally, exhale from mouth until reaching another count of four—repeat this process as many times as you wish!
Exercise
One effective approach to alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression is through exercise. It can also improve your mood, boost your energy levels, and promote relaxation. Just 30 minutes of exercise daily can make a big difference.
And the best part is that you don't have to go to the gym or buy fancy equipment to get started. Walking, jogging, biking, swimming, and even dancing are all great exercises that can help reduce stress and improve your mental health.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness meditation is like a superpower for your mind! It's a technique that helps you stay focused on the present moment and reduce symptoms of anxiety and panic.
To practice mindfulness meditation, find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed and take a few deep breaths. Then, start by focusing on your breath—the sensation of air flowing in and out of your body. If your mind starts to wander (which it probably will!), gently bring your attention back to your breath.
Don't worry if you find it difficult at first—mindfulness is like any other skill; it takes practice to get better at it. But over time, you'll notice that you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, which can help you manage them more effectively.
Medications
While they can be effective in managing symptoms, it's important to remember to seek guidance from a healthcare professional before taking them.
Anti-anxiety medications like benzodiazepines and SSRIs work by altering the chemicals in your brain that contribute to feelings of anxiety. They can help you feel calmer and more relaxed, but they do come with potential side effects, such as drowsiness or dizziness.
Therapy
CBT is a form of therapy that emphasizes the identification and alteration of negative thought patterns and behaviors. It operates on the premise that our thoughts, emotions, and actions are all intertwined, meaning that modifying one can impact others as well.
During CBT sessions, you'll work with a therapist to identify negative thought patterns that may be contributing to your anxiety or panic attacks. You'll learn techniques to challenge and replace these thoughts with more positive ones. You'll also develop coping strategies to help manage your symptoms when they arise.
One of the great things about CBT is that it's a practical approach—it gives you concrete tools and strategies to use in your everyday life. And because it's focused on changing thought patterns and behaviors rather than just masking symptoms with medication, it can lead to long-lasting results.
The Road to Recovery Starts with Understanding
Being able to identify whether what you're feeling is a panic attack or just general anxiety can help you make sense of what's happening in your body when stress strikes.
Anxiety typically involves anticipatory worry, while panic attacks involve sudden bouts of intense fear and terror accompanied by physical symptoms like difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling, and lightheadedness—all of which will usually pass within 30 minutes if left alone.
Being able to distinguish between these two mental states allows individuals to better cope with any situation that may arise.
