Panic Attack or Anxiety Attack? How to Know the Difference
While people sometimes use the terms interchangeably, panic attacks and anxiety attacks are two different things. Both are known to cause a racing heart, shortness of breath, and an underlying feeling of fear or distress. You’re likely to experience similar symptoms when you’re dealing with either. So, it’s easy to see why they might be confused with each other and why people might think they’re the same things.
However, that’s really where the similarities stop. Let’s take a closer look at panic attacks and anxiety attacks and how you can know the difference even when the symptoms are similar.
The Cause of the Attack
One of the biggest differences between panic and anxiety attacks is what brings them on. Panic attacks tend to be more intense and overwhelming. They can occur without warning and don’t necessarily have to be “triggered” by anything. That’s what makes them so difficult to deal with—and to manage.
An anxiety attack, on the other hand, is a response or reaction to a specific event or situation. The feelings can come on quickly and strongly, but they can also build up over time, unlike a panic attack.
Understanding Your Symptoms
While many of the symptoms of panic and anxiety attacks are the same, it’s how those symptoms manifest themselves that makes a difference. A panic attack can make you suddenly feel like you’re losing control. You might even feel detached from your surroundings, and the sheer worry can become so intense that you might feel like you’ll die. If there’s a “silver lining” to panic attacks, it’s that they’re usually quick. Most last between 5-20 minutes, though you can have more than one in a row.
Anxiety attacks tend to last longer. Your symptoms can actually become worse over a period of minutes—or hours. However, they usually aren’t as extreme as the symptoms of a panic attack. You’ll likely struggle with feelings of nervousness, and you might have a sense of impending danger. But it’s unlikely that you’ll feel detached from reality.
Are You at Risk?
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. If you experience anxiety attacks, you’re certainly not alone. Panic attacks are less prominent, though some people are at a greater risk of experiencing them than others. You might be more prone to panic attacks if you have a family history of them, if you’re dealing with other mental health conditions, or if you’re dealing with a series of stressful events or past trauma.
What Can You Do?
Dealing with panic and anxiety attacks isn’t always easy. While panic attacks only last a short time, they can be exhausting and take a toll on your quality of life. Thankfully, there are things you can do on your own and with the help of a professional to manage your anxiety and fight back against panic.
For starters, try to reduce stressors in your life. Practice self-care as often as possible, including getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating nutritiously. Try things like meditation, mindfulness, and journaling to calm your nerves. Most importantly, surround yourself with a support system. No matter what you’re experiencing, it’s important to know that you’re not alone.
In addition to managing your symptoms on your own, it’s a good idea to talk to a mental health professional. A therapist can help you get to the root cause of your anxiety and help you understand where your fear might be coming from. From there, they’ll be able to help you manage your symptoms and overcome your worry.
If you’re struggling with anxiety attacks, panic attacks, or both, you don’t deserve to live in fear. Schedule your free 30-minute consultation today!
