People use the terms panic attack and anxiety attack interchangeably, and although they may appear to be similar, they really are very different. You might mistake a panic attack for an anxiety attack (in someone else, or yourself) if you are not aware of the differences in their causes, symptoms and impact, so let’s clear this up!
Causes
A panic attack usually starts suddenly without a warning. There may not be anything specific that triggers it, so it can be difficult to determine the cause. It can just start out of the blue and seemingly start for no reason. There may be an underlying reason but it is not clear or easy to identify.
“It’s not known what causes panic attacks or panic disorder, but these factors may play a role: Genetics, Major stress, temperament that is more sensitive to stress or prone to negative emotions, Certain changes in the way parts of your brain function.” (“Panic attacks and panic disorder.” Mayoclinic.org. May 4, 2018. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/panic-attacks/symptoms-causes/syc-20376021)
An anxiety attack will usually gradually build and get worse with time. Typically there is something that triggers it and you easily attribute it to a particular event or situation. Some examples of triggers could be social interactions, conflict, health issues, stress, financial struggles,etc. When a person encounters a trigger their body reacts as if they are in danger, leading to the anxiety attack.
Symptoms
Both panic and anxiety attacks can cause physical, mental and emotional symptoms.
The symptoms of a panic attack are intense and peak quickly, within a matter of minutes. Some of the common physical symptoms for a panic attack are dizziness, excessive sweating, racing heart, difficulty breathing, nausea or abdominal pain. A person can also feel detached from reality or oneself, fearful of dying, losing control or going crazy, or experience intense terror.
Symptoms of an anxiety attack can vary in intensity and some can last longer. They can include sleep disturbances, irritability, concentration difficulties, worry and muscle tension. There can still be some immediate physical symptoms like dizziness and shortness of breath.
Impact
The depression project explains the impacts of each:
Panic Attack: These are extremely disruptive and characterized by its severely intense physical symptoms.
Anxiety Attack: These are disruptive but can be mild, moderate or severe in nature. These are therefore less intense but can still impair one’s day-to-day functioning.
([thedepressionproject]. “Panic Attack vs. Anxiety Attack.” *Instagram, July 23, 2024, www.instagram.com/p/C9w7Fl_NcMz/?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA%3D%3D&img_index=5)
Panic attacks can affect a person’s life in a negative way. They can begin to get worse or start to last longer. This can make it hard to keep a job or function in social settings. And because the panic attacks seemingly come out of no where, there can be anticipatory anxiety. Meaning: fear that it will happen, which causes you to limit exposure to things you think could be causing the panic. A person may not want to leave home because they are afraid that they may unintentionally put themselves in a situation that leads to an attack.
Anxiety attacks can also have a negative impact on a person’s life. They can lead to fatigue and exhaustion, changes in appetite and brain fog. All of these effects can lead to the breakdown of relationships or motivation to engage in social or work activities.
So while the impacts of a panic attack and anxiety attack can be similar, the main difference seems to be that panic attacks can be more disruptive due to their severe onset and intensity, making them harder to predict and manage.
Understanding these key differences can help you identify and address what you are experiencing.
Medication, stress management, relaxation techniques, regular exercise, healthy eating habits and therapy can all be ways to address a panic or anxiety attack. Treatment and prevention will depend on your experiences and the intensity level of you symptoms. If you would like to talk with someone about getting help to manage one of these contact us.
