Panic and anxiety attacks both make you feel tremendous, overwhelming feelings. While these names are frequently used interchangeably, they are not synonymous. Panic and anxiety attacks both trigger your nervous system’s fight-or-flight response, resulting in physical and mental symptoms.
This article breaks down the meaning and symptoms of Panic attacks vs. Anxiety attacks. It goes on to state key differences between both attacks that people experience.
Panic Attacks vs Anxiety Attacks
Panic Attacks
A panic attack is a brief time of extreme worry that is accompanied by frightening physical sensations. Symptoms include a racing heart, shortness of breath, disorientation, trembling, and muscle tightness. Panic episodes strike without warning and are typically unrelated to any external threat. A panic episode might last anything from a few minutes to several hours. The attack’s physical and emotional effects, on the other hand, may last for several hours.
Panic episodes are a widespread occurrence. A panic episode affects up to 35% of the population at some point during their lives. Anxiety attacks are similar to panic attacks in that they make you feel anxious.
If panic episodes occur frequently and for an extended period of time, they can be quite harmful. Because they are afraid of being attacked, they may avoid a range of situations (such as leaving their home or being alone).
Symptoms
Mental
• Unrealistic feelings (derealization)
• Feeling cut off from one’s self (depersonalization)
• apprehension of losing control or becoming insane
• Fear of death
Physical
• Sweating excessively
• Choking sensation
• Chills
• Dizziness, unsteadiness, lightheadedness, or faintness
• Heart palpitations, a beating heart, or an increased heart rate.
• Chest pain
• Nausea and/or stomach pains
• Feelings of numbness or tingling (paresthesias)
• Shaking or trembling
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
Anxiety Attacks
An anxiety attack occurs when tension, anxiety, and concern become too much to bear. They are triggered by constant anxiety about significant events such as disease and death and minor, everyday concerns. The attack is the result of a build-up of worry that has reached a breaking point over time.
An anxiety attack is when anxiety reaches a peak. They are periods of great worry, fear, and dread that are accompanied by bodily symptoms. Because they are the outcome of you worrying about something, they have a more predictable feel to them.
Symptoms
Mental
• Concentration problems
• Irritability
• Restlessness
Physical
• Sleep disturbance
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• a faster heart rates
• Increased Startle reaction.
• Tension in muscles
Differences Between Panic Attacks and Anxiety Attacks
A Clinical report was published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition). The report states the differences between a panic attack and an anxiety attack. We can describe the main differences between panic and anxiety in terms of the severity of the symptoms and the duration of the main symptoms. Panic attacks last about 10 minutes on average, while anxiety can last for months.
Panic attacks are most commonly associated with panic disorder; however, they can also occur with other psychiatric conditions. You can experience a panic attack even if you don’t have a problem.
They are distinguished from anxiety by the presence of symptoms such as:
• A feeling of separation from the rest of the world (derealization)
• A separation from oneself (depersonalization)
• The dread of dying or losing control is one of people’s most common fears.
Anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and trauma– and stressor-related disorders are all illnesses that have anxiety as a key component.
Anxiety differs from a panic episode in that it involves feelings like anxiety and worry, but not the intense terror and sensation of detachment that a panic attack brings.
Diagnosis’ of a Panic Attack vs. Anxiety Attack
Anxiety is one of the most frequent mental health issues, impacting 19.1 percent of individuals in the United States each year.
Even though anxiety can significantly influence a person’s life, only about 20% of persons who have symptoms seek help.
Treatments for anxiety and panic attacks are effective and can improve outcomes and well-being, so it’s crucial to speak with a doctor if you’re experiencing symptoms. Because women are twice as likely as males to develop anxiety symptoms, the Women’s Preventative Services Initiative now recommends that all women over the age of 13 be screened for anxiety.
During an evaluation, the doctor will take your medical history, perform a physical examination, and maybe order blood testing to rule out any medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms.
A doctor or mental health expert will also inquire about your symptoms’ severity, length, and impact on your day-to-day activities.
Treatment for Panic Attacks and Anxiety Attacks
Effective treatments are available whether you’re coping with panic, persistent anxiety, or both. Therapy, prescription drugs, and self-help initiatives are among the most prevalent treatment choices. Therapists can tell you ways to calm anxiety; the same goes for panic attacks. You can use one or a combination of these techniques.
• Psychotherapy can assist you in better understanding your symptoms, developing techniques to manage them, working through previous pain, determining your future course, and gaining a clearer perspective that will allow you to have a more optimistic attitude.
• Medications can help you manage your symptoms. Anxiety meds go a long way for treatment. They may only be required for a short time to reduce symptoms while you work on other long-term solutions.
• Self-help approaches like breathing exercises and progressive muscular relaxation might also help you manage your symptoms at your own pace.
We can also take preventive measures to prevent panic attacks vs. anxiety attacks. The following are some useful tips for reducing panic and anxiety:
• Controlling your anxiety
• Regular exercise
• Getting adequate rest
• Relaxation strategies to practice
• Having conversations with friends and relatives
• Caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine are all stimulants that we should avoid
• Work on your breathing skills
If you’re interested in learning more about treatment options for panic attacks or anxiety attacks in Southern California, call Story Wellness at (866) 476-2823.
