It is possible to hear “anxiety attack” or “panic attack” interchangeably. This is because they share some common symptoms. However, anxiety and panic have distinct features. Behavioral health professionals use these terms to describe specific symptoms or disorders.
Panic attacks can be described as extreme fear or discomfort that is accompanied by other symptoms. 1 Anxiety is part of the emotional, protective and biological responses of the body. There is reason to be concerned if anxiety becomes excessive or interferes with your daily life.
This article will discuss how panic and anxiety differ, as well as their definitions, symptoms and treatment.
Clinical differences
The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mind Disorders (5th Edition) is the DSM-5. It contains criteria that professionals who treat mental disorders base their diagnosis. Although anxiety and panic attacks can feel very similar, the DSM helps to distinguish them. A healthcare provider can use the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and definitions to help diagnose and classify your condition.
Anxiety and panic can be described by the severity of symptoms and how long they last. Anxiety can last up to months while panic attacks peak around 10 minutes.
Panic Attack Symptoms
- Sudden
- It lasts for just minutes
- Shaking or shaking
- Chest pain
- Hot flashes
- Sense of detachedness
Anxiety attacks symptoms
- Gradually, you build
- Can last for months
- Restlessness
- Fatigue
- Muscle tension
- Irritability
However, the DSM-5 does not define the term anxiety attack. Anxiety is more accurately used to describe the core features of many illnesses under the headings anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders and trauma-and stressor-related disorders.
Anxiety can be distinguished from panic attacks in that it includes symptoms like worry and apprehension, but not the extreme fear or sense of detachedness that is present during panic attacks.
Panic Attack
Panic attacks are characterized by a sudden, intense feeling of terror, fear, or discomfort that is accompanied with other mental and physical symptoms. The symptoms that are characteristic of panic attacks include four or more of these symptoms:
Mental symptoms
- Feelings of being unreal (derealization).
- Feeling distant from yourself ( depersonalization).
- Fear of losing control and going insane
- Fear of death
Physical symptoms
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Excessive sweating
- Feeling like you are choking
- Feeling dizzy or unsteady, lightheaded, faint, or dizzy
- Heart palpitations, rapid heart rate, or heart-pounding can be signs of heart disease.
- Hot flashes
- Nausea and abdominal distress
- Paresthesias are numbing or tingling sensations.
- Trembling, shaking
- Sensations of difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
Panic attacks are often sudden and occur without any obvious trigger. Sometimes, panic attacks can be expected because they are caused by a known stressor such as a fear.
Panic attacks can peak in 10 minutes, then disappear. Some attacks can last longer than others or occur in sequence, making it hard to tell when an attack ends. It is common to feel anxious, stressed, out of sorts, or on edge after an attack.
Anxiety
Anxiety, on the other hand, tends to intensify over time and be correlated with excessive worry about a potential danger. 3 When the anxiety builds up, and the stress levels reach a point where it feels overwhelming, it could feel like an attack. Anxiety symptoms may include the following.
Mental symptoms
Physical symptoms
- Disturbed sleep
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Heart rate increases
- Increased startle response
- Muscle tension
Although some symptoms of anxiety may resemble panic attacks, others are less severe. Anxiety symptoms can be very persistent and last for days, weeks or months, unlike a panic attack.
Diagnosis
Anxiety is one the most common mental disorders. It affects around 19.1% of U.S adults each year. 3 Although anxiety can have a major impact on your life, only 20% of those who experience it seek treatment.
There are effective treatments that can improve your well-being and outcomes. Talk to your doctor if you have panic attacks or anxiety symptoms. The Women’s Preventative Services Initiative recommends that all women over the age 13 have anxiety screening.
Your symptoms, including their duration and intensity, will be assessed by a doctor or mental health professional. The DSM-5 criteria may be used to diagnose you based on what they have seen.
Panic Attacks and Anxiety Treatment
Effective treatments are available for panic attacks, persistent anxiety, and both. There are many treatment options available for panic attacks, persistent anxiety, or both.
- Psychotherapy will help you better understand your symptoms, find ways to manage them and work through past pain. It will also help you plan for the future with a clearer outlook that will give you a better perspective.
- Medications can help you reduce your symptoms. These medications may be necessary for short periods of time to manage symptoms, while you focus on long-term strategies.
- Self-help methods such as breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation can be helpful in helping you manage your symptoms at your own pace.
Takeaway
Although panic attacks and anxiety attacks can be different, they have some common symptoms.
Anxiety attacks are often triggered by prolonged worry. Panic attacks are more common and often occur abruptly.
Anxiety and panic can be disruptive and distressing. However, self-help strategies can help reduce anxiety and panic. The number of episodes can be prevented or reduced by medication and therapy.
The better the outcome, the sooner someone seeks help.