In daily language, people often use the phrases “panic attack” and “anxiety attack” interchangeably. The two responses to stress and anxiety are common enough that everyone knows what you mean when you use those terms. Within a medical context, though, doctors and counselors differentiate between panic attacks and anxiety attacks.
The distinction between panic and anxiety attacks can seem a little blurry even when you know the differences. As you will learn below, they share several symptoms. For example, you might experience panic or anxiety chest pains. From your perspective, chest pains are uncomfortable symptoms regardless of the specific condition you have.
Still, it can help to learn about panic attacks and anxiety attacks. That way, you can pay closer attention to the details of your experience and get a more accurate diagnosis. Contact Summit Detox and Mental Health today to set an appointment for a proper diagnosis and successful treatment plan.
Types of Anxiety and Stress
More than 18% of the U.S. population experiences anxiety each year, making it the most common mental health issue in the country.1 Several unique conditions get listed under the “anxiety” category, though. Some common issues include:
- Social anxiety disorder affects more than 15 million adults in the U.S. and often begins around age 13.
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), affects about 3.1% of the population and often co-occurs with major depression.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a condition that affects about 3.5% of the population and can begin in childhood.
- Panic disorder (PD), affects about 2.7% of people.
- Specific phobias, usually start during childhood and affect about 19 million adults.
Unfortunately, these and other mental health issues rarely exist independently. About half of the people living with mental illness will also experience substance use disorder.
Common Symptoms of Panic Attacks and Anxiety Attacks
What are the differences between panic attacks and anxiety attacks? Take a closer look to gain more insight into which condition you might have.
Symptoms of Panic Attacks
Symptoms of a panic attack can include:
- Chest pains
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Choking
- Dizziness
- Faintness
- Racing heartbeat
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Feeling disconnected from reality
- Indigestion
- Dread
- Tingling sensations
- Numb or cold extremities
- Chills or hot flashes2
You might feel like you’re going to lose control of yourself or pass out. You might also feel an overwhelming need to flee your environment and find a place that makes you feel safe.
It’s important to note that panic attacks can happen for no obvious reason. You’re going about your normal day when suddenly you feel gripped by panic.
Symptoms of Anxiety Attacks
Anxiety attacks usually don’t feel as severe as panic attacks. They might even come on gradually over a day, week, month, or even longer. Although less severe, they can still disrupt your life and relationships.
Some symptoms you might experience during an anxiety attack include:
- A sense of dread
- Rapid heartbeat
- Chest pains
- Shortness of breath
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Obsessive worrying
Anxiety attacks don’t usually make you feel like you need to run away to escape the situation. They can, however, last for hours or days. When left untreated, this can lead to ongoing sleep disruptions, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
Panic and anxiety attacks can make life incredibly difficult. The good news is that the conditions are highly treatable. The bad news is that only 36.9% of people with symptoms seek help. Begin your journey to wellness by contacting Summit Detox and Mental Health today.
What Panic Attacks and Anxiety Attacks Have in Common
Panic attacks and anxiety attacks clearly have some symptoms in common. That’s because they have similar sources: the fight or flight response.
In most circumstances, the fight or flight response is a useful system that could save your life. Imagine that you’re walking through the woods when you see a dangerous animal. Your body reacts by increasing the amount of adrenaline in your blood, preparing you to either flee the situation or confront the danger head-on.
In the modern world, you probably don’t encounter nearly as many dangers as prehistoric humans. Instead of a quick dose of adrenaline that saves your life, you might live with slow-burning stress throughout your day and night. Chronic stress is just as dangerous as those physical threats, though. It can contribute to health problems like high blood pressure, depression, obesity, and addiction.3
How Panic Attacks and Anxiety Attacks Differ
The biggest difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks is that panic attacks happen suddenly and cause intense fear. Anxiety attacks come from stress that accumulates over time. They’re not as intense, but they can last much longer.
Ways To Calm Symptoms of Panic and Anxiety Attacks
Panic attacks, anxiety attacks, and their symptoms usually respond to medication.4 Taking drugs like benzodiazepines for too long, however, can lead to addiction and health problems. They work, but they have serious long-term consequences.
Healthier alternatives to calm symptoms of panic and anxiety attacks include:
- Practicing mindfulness
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Guided imagery
- Recognizing that the attacks are not life-threatening
- Focusing on positive thoughts or images
- Diaphragmatic (belly) breathing
Distracting yourself can also help curb the initial symptoms of panic and anxiety attacks. You might find it useful to install a distracting game on your smartphone, carry a notepad for doodling and writing your thoughts, or take a break from the situation to get some physical exercise.
How Summit Detox and Mental Health Can Help
Practically everyone experiences stress at some point in their lives. That’s a normal response that some people find motivating. You might even find that you “thrive under pressure.” When stress turns into anxiety or panic, though, it’s time to seek help from trained professionals who understand your condition and how to treat it.
If you think you are experiencing anxiety attacks or panic attacks, contact Summit to get a professional diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
Resources:
1. ADAA. (n.d.) Understand Anxiety & Depression. Retrieved from https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics on May 16, 2022.
2. NHS. (2020, July 28.) Panic disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/panic-disorder/ on May 16, 2022.
3. Harvard Medical School (2020, July 6.) Understanding the stress response. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response on May 16, 2022.
4. Kim, Y.k. (2019, Jan.) Panic Disorder: Current Research and Management Approaches. Psychiatry Investigation. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6354045/ on May 16, 2022.
