What is the Difference Between Panic and Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety attack and panic attack are words that are thrown around often these days. Many people think that they have experienced one or the other, but many people also don't know the difference between the two. To psychiatrists they have very distinct and different meanings. And it is important for people to know these differences. You must know which attack you are actually experiencing because your treatment options will be a little different for each. What is the difference between panic and anxiety attacks? I will attempt to answer that question.

Anxiety attack symptoms:

* Happens because of something that has happened to you personally.

* When it happens you are worrying about something in your life. Examples: work, school, relationship, bills, etc.

* Physical symptoms can include: shakiness, racing heart, shortness of breath.

* Can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days.

Panic attack symptoms:

* Comes on all of a sudden for no apparent reason.

* You may think that you are having a heart attack or a stroke. Or that you are choking or about to vomit or pass out.

* When this happens you are worried about your body and mind. Meaning you think there is something seriously wrong with your body or mind. You will most likely feel the need to go to the emergency room.

* Can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

Main differences between the two:

* An anxiety attack is about something in your life. An event or circumstance. 

* A panic attack is about your body or mind. You think there is something seriously wrong with one or the other. You may feel like you are about to die.

* An anxiety attack can last a lot longer than a panic attack.

* The physical symptoms of a panic attack are much more severe than those of an anxiety attack.

There are many effective treatments for these conditions. Including different drugs and therapies. There has been extensive research conducted on these treatments and advances are being made all the time. It is very important to do your own research and come to your own conclusion as to what will work for you. Best of luck!

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The Difference Between Panic And Anxiety Attack

I became interested in panic and anxiety attacks several years ago following my one and only episode. It occurred in the middle of a sporting event I was broadcasting and when it was over it was like..."did anyone get the number of that truck!"

In fact, panic attack is common. Almost one third of adults will have experienced it in one form or another and most will have had an isolated experience like I did.

Difference Between Anxiety And Panic Attack

Let's clear up the difference between anxiety and panic attacks. An anxiety attack tends to last longer. It is more of a gradual build up and the feeling is not quite as intense. On the other hand, panic attacks will occur without warning and overwhelm a person quickly.

So in summary, an anxiety attack is being worried about something while a panic attack is also being concerned about something in your life but with it comes the whole package, namely the symptoms of panic attack.

What Is Panic Disorder?

Is panic attack related to panic disorder. Isolated instances of panic attack shouldn't be a concern for developing panic disorder. However, if the attacks are frequent then yes, there is reason for concern.

Panic disorder will probably be a factor if you are constantly in fear of suffering a panic attack. If a person makes any changes to their lifestyle habits such as avoiding certain areas or places because they fear they will have an episode then professional advice should be sought. It can be a chronic condition and just deciding to withdraw from your usual lifestyle is not the answer. It can be diagnosed and treated.

Diagnosis is not easy though because there may be a correlation with a pre disposed disorder such as depression. A doctor will need to correctly identify any one of these disorders before making a correct diagnosis of panic disorder. The causes are numerous including major events in your life such as moving house, marriage, break up or job promotion and job loss. There is also a suggestion it could run in the family.

Treatment Methods

People with panic disorder must realize they are not going crazy. Cognitive behavioral treatment has been successful in helping people overcome this disorder and get their lives back on track.

Getting to understand what panic attack is helps in altering destructive thought patterns and eventually coping with one's fears. Therapy also includes controlled breathing exercises and actually will reach a stage where a person may be asked to go to a place or experience a situation they fear.

Medication is another option and has been used in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy. For more information on medication, see your doctor.

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Can panic attack lead to panic disorder? Get the facts with this informative guide plus, read the latest panic/anxiety attack news and reviews at: http://www.panicattacksite.com

The Difference Between Panic Or Anxiety Attacks and Panic Disorder

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