People often use the terms panic attack and anxiety attack interchangeably — it’s an easy mistake to make, but there are actually some distinct differences between the two.
Both can be incredibly intense, even debilitating for some, they are both scary and can feel all-consuming when they occur.
Panic and anxiety attacks hit you like a wave — a wave of dread that takes over your whole body and leaves you with little capacity to think about anything else.
They can both do this, but how they come about, and how they present themselves, can be quite different. Even if you don’t work in healthcare, or study a degree such as an online clinical MSW program where mental health education is important, it’s a good idea to acquaint yourself with common conditions like panic and anxiety disorders, so that you can support the people around you who might suffer from them, and identify them in yourself if you ever experience one.
What is a panic attack?
Panic attacks are episodes of intense anxiety, they can occur because of a trigger — an event or situation that causes panic — but they can also be seemingly random. Panic attacks typically affect people who suffer from panic disorder, a condition that causes frequent and unexpected panic attacks, but they can also affect people who don’t, particularly during stressful situations or periods of time.
Often, panic attacks occur suddenly, are very intense, and subside relatively quickly (though it might not feel this way for the person experiencing it), often only a few minutes — but they can be longer.
Physical Symptoms of a Panic Attack
There are many ways a person can experience a panic attack, although common symptoms include:
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Rapid heart rate
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Chest pain
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Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
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Nausea
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Hot flashes or chills and sweating
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Dizziness or lightheadedness
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Numbness or tingling sensations, often in the extremities
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Stomach pain
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Shaking or trembling
Psychological Symptoms of Panic Attack
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Intense detachment from the world or self
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Fear of dying
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Feeling a loss of control
What is an Anxiety Attack?
Anxiety attacks can be linked to a range of mental health conditions, including obsessive compulsive disorder, various phobias and anxiety disorders. ‘Anxiety attack’ is actually not a formal medical term, however it is often used to describe periods of extreme anxiety. This can mean different things for different people — for some, it will be more of an “attack” like in a panic attack, where it’s a little more sudden and intense, while for others, it might be a period of a few days where they feel excessive worry and dread, which can make it difficult to function like one usually would.
People who suffer from anxiety experience more than the typical amount of worry that others might feel only occasionally. Anxiety levels can become out of proportion and make tasks that most people would find easy quite difficult, or even impossible. Outside of anxiety attacks, people who suffer from anxiety disorders can struggle with feeling on edge, and having difficulty sleeping and focusing on their day-to-day activities.
Physical Symptoms of an Anxiety Attack
Anxiety attack symptoms can be quite similar to those of a panic attack. They often included, but are not limited to:
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Nausea and vomiting
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Restlessness
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Dizziness or lightheadedness
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Fast or irregular heart rate
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Numbness and tingling sensations
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Hot flashes and sweating
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A churning feeling in the stomach, or stomach cramps
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Faster breathing
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Crying
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Dry mouth
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Shaking or trembling
These symptoms can also be related to other health conditions, such as thyroid problems, asthma or other breathing problems, heart and neurological conditions, and stimulant or substance use — so it’s important to consult a healthcare professional if you experience any of them.
Identifying a Panic Attack vs an Anxiety Attack
If you’re not sure if what you’re experiencing or have experienced is a panic attack or an anxiety attack, there are some factors to keep in mind:
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The cause: Panic attacks can be completely random, while anxiety attacks are usually linked to other mental health conditions
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Intensity: Panic attacks are typically more intense experiences than anxiety attacks, which can range from mild to severe
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Suddenness: Panic attacks tend to come on very quickly with little warning, while anxiety attacks usually have more warning as they are caused by something else
Treatment for panic and anxiety attacks
There are techniques you can start to implement yourself that might help reduce panic and anxiety, such as mindfulness and breathing and relaxation techniques, but if you are suffering from panic and anxiety, you should consult a mental health professional. Professional help will ensure that you can identify the cause of your condition, and engage with the right forms of therapy for you. Treatment is different for everyone, and it’s not something you should navigate alone.
Panic and anxiety attacks can be very similar in nature, however there are some important distinctions to note between the two. Keep in mind the causes, symptoms, duration and intensity of any attack to help you identify which one is occuring. Most importantly, don’t be ashamed or afraid to reach out for help when you need it.
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