Panic Attack vs Anxiety Attack: Difference in Causes and Symptoms

Anxiety can be characterized by many common mental disorders, such as –

• Anxiety Disorder
• Nervousness
• Agoraphobia
• Tension
• Social Anxiety
• Uncontrolled Passion
• Fear

Anxiety is usually associated with a stressful situation, experience, or event. Symptoms of anxiety include:

• Worry
• Tension
• Fear

Anxiety symptoms may be something no other person has ever experienced, indicating they too have had an "anxiety attack."

Panic attacks come suddenly and can cause extreme fear. It may also cause challenging physical symptoms, such as a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, or nausea. Unexpected panic attacks occur for no apparent reason. Expected panic attacks are caused by external stressors such as phobias.

Panic attacks can happen to anyone, but if they happen more than once, they may be a sign of panic disorder, a mental health condition characterized by sudden and repeated panic attacks.

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Panic and anxiety attacks can feel similar, and they have many of the same emotional and physical symptoms. You may experience both anxiety and panic attacks at the same time. For example, you may experience anxiety when thinking about a potentially stressful situation, such as a presentation at work, and a panic attack may occur when the anxiety is too severe.

Panic attacks or anxiety attacks can cause both physical and emotional symptoms, including:

• Apprehension And Worry
• Tension
• Fear Of Dying Or Losing Control
• Feeling Of Isolation From The World
• Palpitations Or Fast Heart Rate
• Pain In Chest
• Difficulty Breathing
• Throat Tightness Or Feeling As If You Are Suffocating
• Dry Mouth
• To Sweat
• Feeling Cold
• Tremble Or Shake
• Numbness Or Tingling
• Nausea, Stomach Pain, Or Upset Stomach
• Headache
• Fainting Or Dizziness

It can be difficult to know whether you are feeling anxious or nervous. Keep the following things in mind:

• Causes: Anxiety is usually related to something that is considered stressful. Panic attacks are not always caused by stress. They happen suddenly.
• Level of Distress: Anxiety can be mild, moderate, or severe. For example, worry may be running in the back of your mind as you go about your day-to-day activities. Panic attacks, on the other hand, mostly involve severe, disruptive symptoms.
• Speed of Onset: Anxiety may increase gradually, panic attacks usually come on suddenly.
• Effects: Panic attacks generally cause anxiety or fear.

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There is no immediately apparent reason for a panic attack. Both anxiety and panic attacks can often be caused by similar symptoms. Some common triggers include:

• Tension
• Driving
• Social Situations
• Phobias, Such As Agoraphobia, Claustrophobia, And Acrophobia
• Traumatic Experiences Or Memories
• Chronic Diseases, Such As Heart Disease, Diabetes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Or Asthma
• Chronic Pain
• Drugs Or Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Medication And Supplements
• Thyroid Problems

The risk factors for anxiety and panic attacks are similar. These include:

• Witnessing Traumatic Events As A Child Or Adult
• Experiencing A Stressful Life Event, Such As The Death Of A Loved One Or Divorce
• Persistent Stress And Anxiety – Such As Work, Family Conflict, Or Financial Crisis
• Disease
• Depression
• Family Members Also Have Anxiety Or Panic Disorders
• Using Drugs Or Consuming Alcohol

People who experience anxiety have an increased risk of panic attacks. But having anxiety does not mean that you will definitely have a panic attack.

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Doctors can't eliminate anxiety forever, but they can help you understand the symptoms of anxiety as they diagnose it. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and any problems you may have, such as heart disease or thyroid. The following tests can be done for testing –

• Physical Examination
• Blood Test
• Heart Tests, Such As Electrocardiogram
• A Psychological Assessment Or Questionnaire

Talk to a doctor about other treatments for anxiety and panic attacks. Here are some treatments they can discuss with you.

1. Counseling and Psychotherapy – Talking therapy may be done for anxiety and panic disorders and may include the following.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – This type of therapy can help you look at things that worry you in a new way.
• Cognitive therapy: This can help you identify, reframe, and neutralize the unhelpful thoughts that often cause anxiety disorders.
• Exposure therapy: This form of therapy involves controlling the situations that trigger fear and anxiety, which can help you learn to face those fears in new ways.
• Relaxation techniques: These include breathing exercises.

2. Medicines – Examples of medicines that a doctor may prescribe are:

• Antidepressants: serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Beta-blockers: These medications can help manage some physical symptoms, such as a fast heart rate.
• Anti-anxiety medications: These include benzodiazepines, a sedative that can quickly suppress symptoms.
• All these medicines can have adverse effects. Benzodiazepines are only for short-term use, as the risk of dependence is high.

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You should talk to a doctor or mental health professional to find out what you can do to prevent and treat symptoms related to anxiety and panic. If you feel anxious or having a panic attack, try the following:

• Take slow, deep breaths: When you feel your breathing becoming faster, focus your attention on each inhale and exhale. As you breathe in, feel your belly fill with air. As you exhale, count backward from four. Repeat until your breathing slows down.
• Recognize and accept what you're experiencing: If you've already experienced anxiety or a panic attack, remind yourself that the symptoms will pass and you'll be okay.
• Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness can be used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Mindfulness is a technique that can help ground your thoughts in the present.
• Use Relaxation Techniques: Relaxation techniques include aromatherapy and muscle relaxation. If you're experiencing anxiety or panic attack symptoms, try doing things that you find relaxing. Close your eyes, take a bath, or use lavender, which has a relaxing effect.
• Lifestyle changes – Lifestyle changes can help you prevent anxiety and panic attacks, as well as reduce the severity of symptoms when an attack occurs: don't stress, identify and stop negative thoughts, get regular exercise. Practice meditation or yoga, and eat a balanced diet.

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Panic attacks and anxiety attacks are not the same. However these terms are often used interchangeably. Anxiety and panic attacks have similar symptoms, causes, and risk factors. Panic attacks are more intense and are often accompanied by more severe physical symptoms.