Panic and anxiety attacks¹ are well-known phenomena. They are mental and emotional stress reactions. It is a common problem in the physical world. Panic attacks are a painful and often debilitating reaction to feelings of fear or anxiety. They are also associated with significant attention to the mind and a tendency to overreact to minor disruptions.

Panic attacks are often triggered by a person’s concern and are often the result of an interaction with someone they don’t know. The major difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack is that they are characterized by shortness of breath, rapid heart rate², and a racing heartbeat. Intense fear of death often accompanies this condition.

Panic and anxiety attacks can be triggered by destroying a home or a loved one. The fear of losing the house or the life-long possessions that are a part of our daily lives causes panic. It can occur at any time, but the most common triggers for panic and anxiety attacks are the loss of a job, a loved one, a sudden, unexpected death, and the loss of a pet.

This article will discuss the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack. They share many common symptoms and have a lot difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks.

1. Panic Attacks

The difference between panic attack and anxiety attack is Panic attacks are anxiety disorders in which someone is so afraid of something. Panic attacks are a form of mental illness³ in which the individual feels as if they have lost control of their life, often making them feel as if they are not in control of themselves or have sudden fear. Panic attacks occur when a person is threatened by death, is aware that someone might harm them, or is in an amoral or immoral situation. Panic attacks can cause heart attacks too.

Panic attack symptoms are extreme fear, usually followed by a short period of shortness of breath and chest pain. They start to experience various types of physical symptoms, such as sweating, trembling, shaking, and more. The pain of a panic attack stays in the mid of the chest area (because of chest pain) and commonly moves towards the left side of the body or jaw.

Panic attacks are characterized by a sudden loss of awareness of the surroundings and sudden, intense fear, usually of a stressful situation. Panic attacks are typically triggered by a perceived threat to life and can occur in several different situations. Panic attacks are typically triggered by something out of one’s control, such as an unstable situation or a sudden event.

1.1. Symptoms

• Overwhelming fear
• Chest pain⁴
• Irrational fear
• Difficulty breathing
• Extreme fear
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Heightened vigilance for danger and physical symptoms
• Anxious and irrational thinking
• Feeling lightheaded and dizzy
• A feeling of Tingling and chills
• Trembling or shaking, sweating
• Hot flushes
• Accelerated heart rate
• A feeling of constriction in the chest
• Breathing difficulties, including shortness of breath
• Nausea or abdominal distress
• Tense muscles
• Dry mouth
• Feelings of unreality and detachment from the environment.

The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders claims that the difference between panic attack and anxiety attack is that panic attack is characterized by recurring brief feelings of terror, apprehension, or apprehension accompanied by a sudden, intense feeling of panic (American Psychiatric Association 2000). Panic attacks can be considered a type of anxiety disorder.

They are common symptoms of diagnoses such as Borderline Personality Disorder and Schizophrenia⁵. Panic attacks tend to trigger many things, including stressful life events, the loss of loved ones, or the onset of a chronic illness. Panic attacks are often triggered by food insecurity and the fear of suicide.

Panic attacks can be associated with fear of dying, entering a dark room, or being caught in a sudden life-threatening situation. Panic attacks can also be associated with extreme stress and worry over a certain event occurring now or may happen soon. Panic attacks may be accompanied by severe anxiety and feeling on edge.

A panic attack lasts less than 10 minutes, but physical and emotional symptoms stay for hours. A panic attack can be a symptom of another anxiety attack; there is a difference between panic attacks and panic disorder. When a person experience panic attacks repeatedly, like having unexpected or expected panic attacks, they have a panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder.

Panic attacks and panic disorders are very common disorders in the world. There is no clear cause of this disorder, and people who are suffering from panic disorder are more likely to have other mental health conditions like depression, substance abuse, and attempt suicide. It is a common mental health condition in women compared to men.

A panic attack occurs in a fight or flight situation. It is a defense mechanism that prepares the body to respond to potential danger. People with panic disorders experience a panic attack when there is no danger in fight or flight situations; they experience it in a harmless or stressless situation. Generally, panic disorder experiences unexpected panic attacks while sleeping, watching television, or driving.

1.2. Causes

• Stressful life event
• Ongoing stress
• Past traumatic event
• Excessive worry or intense worry
• Excessive intake of caffeine
• Life-threatening illness
• Change of environment.
• Other medications like drugs, tranquilizers, and alcohol.

1.3. Professional Medical advice

It is advisable always to seek a mental health professional whether the patient is unsure about physical and mental symptoms or not familiar with the mental health issue, which indicates an unexpected or expected panic attack. If there is an emergency, immediately call for an ambulance if the condition is not like a patient having several panic attacks with severe disruptive symptoms, immediately seek treatment from a mental health professional.

The patient is advised to check up and makes sure that they do not have recurrent panic attacks because of any chronic health conditions like:

1. Diabetes
2. Asthma
3. Hyperthyroidism
4. Cardiac complaint
5. After childbirth
6. Inner ear complaints

If a patient has a panic attack due to a chronic health condition like diabetes or hyperthyroidism, proper treatment reduces the symptoms of panic attacks. But if the patient has a panic attack due to anxiety disorder or other disorders, their professional treatment to manage symptoms would be.

1. Medication (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
2. Psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy).
3. Manage Stress.
4. Proper breathing techniques.
5. Relaxation techniques.
6. Lifestyle adjustment.

1.4. Self-Help Strategies

• Avoiding self-talk makes the patient more anxious and focuses more on their symptoms.
• Always remember that there is no such thing as a panic attack, and symptoms are normal reactions to a situation.
• Remind yourself that all these symptoms are temporary and uncomfortable but not life-threatening.
• Distract the attention of patients from their symptoms.

2. Anxiety Attack

Anxiety attack is one of the most common psychiatric disorders. It is characterized by a wide range of symptoms that include a sudden decrease in emotional or cognitive functioning and a change in how one experiences and response to being in a certain situation. The anxiety attack has also been described as a “panic disorder.” Anxiety attacks are thought to be a common phenomenon in both mental and physical health.

Anxiety disorders have become a significant public health issue. They can cause significant stress and anxiety for many people. They can also cause significant financial stress for many people, especially those with insufficient savings to cover expenses. Although current anxiety disorders are usually associated with depression, they can occur for many other reasons, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder (ASD).

This is a very common disorder. It is commonly associated with specific medical conditions and a specific person with the disorder. Anxiety attacks are a normal reaction to an overwhelming situation and are a normal response to just about anything. It is a normal reaction to fear, anxiety, danger, pain, worry, stress, and even a slight amount of panic, which is commonly counted in the difference between panic attack and anxiety attack.

Concerns about the effect of anxiety on our health have led to the development of several psychological and pharmacological treatments for anxiety attacks People with anxiety attack issues show a reduction in their anxiety when they are exposed to or experience a threat. The same applies to people who are depressed or anxious. The anxiety reduction, however, is only temporary. It is not something we can do to ourselves.

2.1. Anxiety Attack Symptoms

• Insomnia.
• Fear of death.
• Helplessness.
• Sense of being overwhelmed.
• Low self-esteem.
• Dread.
• Worry.
• Nervousness.
• Feeling light-headed or dizzy.
• Feeling numb.
• Restlessness.
• A fast and irregular heartbeat.
• Nausea.

Anxiety symptoms are characterized by a rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure followed by a short period of relative calm, which may last for a few minutes or longer. Anxiety attacks are usually accompanied by a feeling of terror and an increased heart rate and blood pressure. The person most likely to experience anxiety attacks is those who are relatively isolated from others and feel that venting their feelings is a sign of weakness or being weak. They do not feel that they can get help and cannot maintain social contact because of the fear of social rejection.

Anxiety attacks are classified according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5), with the most widely used by the American Psychiatric Association. Anxiety disorders include panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, specific phobias, and general anxiety disorder. People suffering from anxiety attacks have a chance to develop these psychological disorders.

People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) do not think they are anxious, but they are very anxious to the point that they are afraid to live their life. They worry about everything. Their anxiety attacks are triggered by a perceived threat that causes them to react excitingly. What drives them to continue worrying is the fear of being unable to control their anxiety.

According to a recent systematic review on anxiety attacks, anxiety attacks are impacted by gender, as women are more likely to be affected by it than men. Anxiety attacks are more common in women and often coincide with low levels of social support and high levels of social isolation. Social isolation is often linked to depression and suicide attempts.

2.2. Causes

1. Witnessing traumatic events.
2. Having an anxious personality due to family problems.
3. Pressure from workplace or school.
4. Divorce or separation.
5. Changing life situation.
6. Worry about climate and environmental change.
7. Having Chronic health issues.

2.3. How to Manage Anxiety?

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy.
2. Medication prescribes serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
3. Support groups for people with a specific condition.
4. Knowing the sign to reduce the risk factors.
5. Eating and healthy diet.
6. Exercising.
7. Learning some relaxation techniques.
8. Setting goals.
9. Being social.
10. Learning progressive muscle relaxation.

In case of emergency or immediate danger, dial the helpline or suicide prevention number.

3. Panic and Anxiety attacks

There are a lot of differences between a panic attack and an anxiety attack. Panic attacks are caused by a sudden overwhelming fear, usually in response to a real or perceived threat. Panic attacks are an emotional response to a terrifying situation. The problem is that they are not necessarily a true reaction to a real danger.

The person may be experiencing a panic attack or may feel anxious, but the problem is that the person’s body is responding to the stress of the situation and causing the muscles to contract. In a panic, the muscles contract. In anxiety, the muscles relax. The stress can be so high that the person may feel exhausted and faint.

Panic or anxiety attacks are usually caused by anxiety and fear, which are the same things. Panic attacks are usually caused by something causing an intense current of fear and anxiety. Panic attacks are the worst, but they can also cause a lot of anxiety. Therefore, it is essential to know how to differentiate the two.

There is a lot of difference between panic attack and anxiety attack, but they have similar symptoms too, like increased heart rate and shortness of breath.

3.1. The Key Difference Between Panic Attack and Anxiety Attack Are

1. Panic attacks are sudden and extreme.
2. Lasts for minutes.
3. Shaking and trembling body.
4. Causes Chest pain.
5. Hot flashes.
6. Sense of detachment.

On the other side:

1. Anxiety attack gradually builds up.
2. Can last for months.
3. The body feels restless.
4. Fatigue.
5. Causes Muscle tension.
6. Irritability.

The most common difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack is that a panic attack is a mild anxiety attack where you feel panic or fear or things like that. It’s just a bunch of feelings and thoughts that you have. The difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack is when you have a panic attack and start to feel anxious or scared.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Both panic attacks and anxiety have similar risk factors, and both panic attacks and anxiety have similar emotional and protective responses. These are the major and most common differences between a panic attacks and anxiety attacks.

1. Schenberg, Luiz Carlos, et al. “Modeling panic attacks.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 25.7-8 (2001): 647-659. ↩︎
2. Kannel, William B., et al. “Heart rate and cardiovascular mortality: the Framingham Study.” American heart journal 113.6 (1987): 1489-1494. ↩︎
3. Szasz, Thomas S. “The myth of mental illness.” American psychologist 15.2 (1960): 113. ↩︎
4. Fass, Ronnie, and Guy D. Eslick. “Chest pain.” Practical Gastroenterology and Hepatology: Esophagus and Stomach: Esophagus and Stomach (2010): 165-175. ↩︎
5. Van Os, Jim, Gunter Kenis, and Bart PF Rutten. “The environment and schizophrenia.” Nature 468.7321 (2010): 203-212. ↩︎

Last Updated on April 13, 2024 by NamitaSoren