A panic attack is an episode, with a beginning and an end, of extreme anxiety. Panic is the term used by psychologists to describe this event. An anxiety attack can be used as a synonym but it is not the formal diagnostic term. I think that sometimes people use the term anxiety attack to refer to something a bit less intense than panic. A panic attack is the most intense experience of anxiety but all anxiety actually has the same symptoms, just to a lesser degree. The difference may also be described this way. When you are pretty clear about what is bothering you then it is an anxiety attack. When the attack isn't clearly connected to anything and just seems to come out of the blue, it is panic. The symptoms are a result of the sympathetic nervous system's action to prepare a person for danger. In a situation of clear danger the same symptoms that horrify someone having a panic attack don't raise any alarm. The situation raises the alarm.
These symptoms are distressing in a panic episode because they happen when there is nothing apparent that is dangerous enough to warrant such a reaction and so they are experienced differently. In the case of a panic attack, the danger is the person's experience, the symptoms they are feeling and the sense of loss of control of their own body.
Think of these symptoms on a continuum. For example, if you are watching a movie and there is something tense your heart rate picks up. But if you are panicking then it may seem like your heart is about to burst! The main symptoms (or most noticeable) of panic are:
accelerated heart rate
sweating
trembling or shaking
shortness of breath or feeling of smothering
feeling of choking
chest pain or discomfort
nausea or abdominal distress (aka. diarrhea)
dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded or faint
feel like things are unreal or feel detached from yourself
fear of losing control or going crazy
fear of dying
numbness or tingling (usually fingers, hands or feet but can be elsewhere)
chills or hot flushes
None of these are actually physically dangerous and no one goes crazy from panic but it may seem that way when they come out of the blue. However, a panic disorder is not just a single attack. Rather, it is recurring attacks and these attacks are seen as (for at least a month, not just a passing thought) the strong possibility of more attacks, intense worry that the attacks themselves are dangerous (might lose control, have a heart attack, etc) and cause a change in behavior related to the attacks (usually doing about anything to avoid them). Panic disorder is a fear of having panic or anxiety attacks essentially.
It is very important that you do not diagnosis yourself with certainty or consider things you read as an appropriate substitute for a professional diagnosis. Please don't take offense, but you don't have a point of reference. Unless you can compare your symptoms to people who have confirmed symptoms of anxiety disorders how can you tell if what you have is really a disorder? People with anxiety tend to over diagnose and get themselves more anxious. So if you think this might be a problem you have, please make an appointment with a medical doctor or psychological professional before coming to any conclusions.
Thank you for reading my article. I am a psychologist in private practice in Charlotte, NC. In spite of what anyone thinks, psychologists and their families have as many problems as anyone else. My daughter had a panic disorder and I was desperate to find her resources. I got her all kinds of help but wanted something to explain anxiety and give her a map to overcome it that would make sense to her. There was nothing useful that I could find. So we created something that is completely new.
A colleague and I have created an audio program for kids ages 6-12 (maybe a young 13) to help them with anxiety. At the risk of bragging, it is really good. Seriously. We hired professional actors, artists and sound engineers. If you have a child, you know more than half the battle is getting them to pay attention. Would you do me a favor and look at our site? If you don't need it you may know someone who could use it. (I have to pay all these people!!) Thanks! Here is the link: http://www.myanxiouschild.com
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