Highlights
- Panic attacks are an official symptom of panic disorder; anxiety attacks are not a recognized medical term but rather a common way people describe intense anxiety spikes.
- Anxiety and panic attacks present with similar symptoms due to a sensitive fight-or-flight response, but for different reasons.
- Anxiety attacks often creep up slowly, usually triggered by worry about future events, while panic attacks hit within minutes and happen because of fear.
Many people think that anxiety attacks and panic attacks are the same thing, when in fact, they aren’t. It is essential to distinguish them because their management approaches may differ.
But don’t worry, both anxiety and panic attacks are pretty common and treatable; this article will tell you everything you need to know.
Anxiety Attack vs Panic Attack: Are They the Same Thing?
‘Attack’ suggests something sudden or unexpected, and this is the case with a panic attack, but not necessarily with anxiety. In fact, ‘anxiety attack’ is not a recognized medical term.
Let’s take a closer look at anxiety versus panic.
What Is a Panic Attack?
A
The primary emotion usually experienced is overwhelming fear.
Panic attacks are a
- A pounding heart or fast heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Feelings of difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or being smothered
- Feeling of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
- Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
- Fear of losing control or “going crazy”
- Fear of dying
- Numbness or tingling feelings
- Heat sensations or hot flashes
The silver lining is that symptoms subside
What Is an Anxiety Attack?
Anxiety symptoms are
This results in a slower build-up before presenting. Also, symptoms of an anxiety attack tend to be less intense than those of panic, and may fluctuate according to the person’s circumstances.
For example, financial worries cause ongoing stress and worry, but the person experiences an ‘anxiety attack’ at the end of the month when there are bills to pay.
Common symptoms of an anxiety attack include:
- A forceful or fast heartbeat
- Trembling or shaking
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Trouble sleeping
- Muscle tension
- Fear of judgment
- Frightening thoughts, mental images, or memories
- Difficulty concentrating
- Always looking out for danger
Confused about your symptoms? Our medical team is here to create a care plan for you.
Key Differences and Similarities Between Panic Attacks and Anxiety Attacks
Both panic and anxiety activate the fight-or-flight response, but in different ways.
Anxiety centers around preparing for future threats or concerns through worrying, while during a panic attack, fear causes the body to react as if it is in immediate danger.
Let’s compare a panic attack vs an anxiety attack in the table below.
|
Panic Attack |
Anxiety Attack |
|
|
Triggers |
May have specific triggers in the moment but may also come without an obvious cause |
Specific future triggers |
|
Onset |
Sudden and spikes within minutes |
Builds up, focused on a future event |
|
Emotion felt |
Intense fear |
Excessive worry |
|
Intensity |
Severe and overwhelming |
Usually, mild to moderate. Can fluctuate |
|
Duration |
Average |
Up to 30 minutes, but anxiety can build up during days or weeks |
As you can see, some of the anxiety attack and panic attack symptoms, emotional and physical, overlap, which might cause confusion:
- Fast, forceful heartbeat and heart palpitations
- Rapid, shallow breathing, or suffocating or choking sensations
- Shaking or tremors
- Sweating or flushing
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Painful or upset stomach and nausea
- Chest pain or pressure
- Feelings of impending doom or a loss of control
- Feelings of altered reality
Next, we’ll look at how to tell them apart.
How to Tell If It’s Anxiety or a Panic Attack
The following checklist will help you know if it’s anxiety or a panic attack.
It’s more likely a panic attack if you can check all three of these boxes:
- ✅ You’re feeling scared or fearful right now and not worried about something in the future
- ✅ The feeling and symptoms came on in minutes
- ✅ The symptoms are mostly unexpected or out of proportion to your present situation
If your experience doesn’t meet these criteria, it’s probably an episode of anxiety. If you have any concerns about your symptoms, or if you feel intense anxiety frequently, it’s better to consult a healthcare provider.
Get assessed for anxiety in 24 hours. See a licensed medical provider online.
What to Do During a Panic or Anxiety Attack
Below are a few coping strategies to use as soon as you feel anxious; if you don’t lessen the worry, there is a risk that it could escalate to a panic attack.
Unfortunately, you can’t always stop an episode instantly, but these and similar techniques may help you get through it more quickly and reduce its intensity.
If it feels more like an anxiety or worry surge:
Practice basic mindfulness and time-management approaches:
- Name what you’re worried about: “I’m afraid I’m not going to get this project done in time”
- Check the facts: “Is this an actual problem, or is my brain amplifying it?”
- Break tasks into smaller, doable steps
- Speak to yourself the way you’d speak to a stressed friend: “This is a lot, but you can handle it; take it one step at a time”
- Notice how the worry eases when you have an action plan
If it feels like fear or a panic attack:
- Take deep, slow breaths to counteract hyperventilation
- Ground yourself using your senses
- Touch the edges of the chair and describe its texture and temperature
- Name all the red objects in the room
- Count backwards from 1000
- Remind yourself that it will pass in about 30 minutes
- Don’t fight the physical sensations; remember that your body is ‘trying to protect you’
Panic vs Anxiety: Causes and Risk Factors
Everyday anxiety can happen because of different factors, be it minor stressors or major life changes. Some people are also more prone to experiencing anxiety due to their personality specifics. However, things like ongoing worries, conflicts, and traumatic events increase the probability of having anxiety attacks.
At the same time, having some mental health conditions could put you at risk of panic attacks, including:
- Panic disorder or other anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, separation anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and agoraphobia.
- Mood disorders, for example, depression.
- Substance use disorder.
An overwhelmingly stressful situation or traumatic event might also cause a panic attack due to a sudden rush of
Getting Diagnosed and When to Seek Help
You should seek professional help if you have anxiety or panic episodes that:
- Concern you for any reason
- Happen for the first time, with physical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or an unusual heartbeat
- Happen often, are overwhelming, or are severe
- Affect your relationships, work performance, or social life
- Make you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide
It’s also possible to get help for anxiety online, including all the steps from the initial symptom assessment to online medication management, if required.
If you’re experiencing suicidal or self-harming thoughts and require immediate assistance, contact a crisis hotline, such as 911, 988 suicide & crisis lifeline (toll-free), or Samaritans (116-123 or via chat).
Unfortunately, many of the common symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks can mimic serious physical health conditions such as a heart attack, asthma, or lung blood clots. These must be ruled out before an anxiety disorder diagnosis is made. To do this, your healthcare provider might request blood tests or other tests.
Treatment Options for Panic Attacks and Anxiety
Once the official diagnosis is made, a healthcare professional will recommend a treatment approach, which will incorporate lifestyle adjustments with therapy, medication, or both.
Here are some lifestyle changes to lower the risk of anxiety and panic attacks:
- Identify obvious triggers of feelings like fear and worry by journaling
- Support your body and brain with regular exercise and a balanced diet
- Decrease anxiety by reducing caffeine, alcohol, and other substances
- Join anxiety support groups
- Make ‘me time’ to do things that relax you: yoga, meditation, massage, or an art class
Therapy
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is an effective way to manage anxiety. It is a talk therapy that changes behavior by reframing the unwanted emotions, fear, and worry associated with specific
Therapists will also teach problem-solving and coping skills, breathing training, and grounding techniques.
Medication
Benzodiazepines are fast-acting and may be used to treat panic attacks while they are happening, or for anxiety disorders until the antidepressants take effect. Benzodiazepines are typically used short-term in select cases due to risk of dependence. They are generally a second-line choice and should be used cautiously under medical supervision.
Beta-blockers help prevent stress hormones, such as adrenaline, from causing physical symptoms like palpitations, tremors, and sweating.
The choice of the medication, as well as its overall necessity, is determined by a healthcare provider based on individual symptoms and needs.
Conclusion
As you can see, anxiety disorders are manageable once you have a diagnosis, so if you recognize the symptoms in yourself, reach out for support. Take that first step: book an online appointment with MEDvidi’s team to have an assessment, and, if they confirm an anxiety disorder, receive a personalized treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if you have a panic attack or an anxiety attack?
Can you have both types of attacks?
Are anxiety attacks normal?
Are panic attacks dangerous?
No, panic attacks are generally not dangerous, just your body’s reaction to what your brain thinks is a threat. However, because the symptoms are similar to life-threatening physical conditions, a healthcare provider needs to confirm the diagnosis.
What’s the difference between panic disorder and anxiety disorder?
Panic disorder is one of the anxiety disorders; some of the others include generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
