Panic Attack vs Anxiety Attack: How to Tell the Difference
There is one important difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines anxiety as excessive worry occurring more days than not, for at least 6 months. However, the DSM-5 does not recognize "anxiety attacks" as a condition. For the purposes of this article, the term "anxiety attack" will be used to refer to overwhelming symptoms and feelings of anxiety.
Panic disorder refers to having unexpected, recurring panic attacks. A panic attack refers to the abrupt onset of intense fear that peaks within minutes and has at least four physical and psychological symptoms based on DSM-5 criteria.
While an anxiety attack is often triggered by a specific event or experience, a panic attack can occur without being prompted by a particular cause. A panic attack typically happens unexpectedly, and tends to be more intense than an anxiety attack.
While panic attacks are sometimes referred to as anxiety attacks, anxiety attacks are considered milder forms of panic attacks.
Read on to find out more of the key differences between an anxiety attack and a panic attack, as well as their causes and treatments.
What is an "Anxiety Attack"?
An anxiety attack is defined as an excessive worry about a situation, experience, or event that subsequently disrupts your daily life. Anxiety attacks can occur at any time.
The DSM-5 does not recognize anxiety attacks as a condition. The DSM-5 characterizes anxiety as taking the form of excessive worry that occurs most days for a period of time of at least 6 months.
Anxiety attacks are common. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 40 million adults in the United States suffer from an anxiety disorder.
What is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden period of fear that happens without an apparent cause or trigger. It can include physical symptoms as well as feelings of detachment.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), panic disorder includes the experience of recurrent panic attacks. This includes one or more attacks, followed by at least one month of fear of another panic attack or significant maladaptive behavior related to the attacks.
When it comes to a panic attack vs anxiety attack, a panic attack is more intense than an anxiety attack, and can be described as unbearable to the sufferer.
How to Know If It's a Panic Attack or Anxiety
An important difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack is that panic attacks can occur unprompted by anything, while anxiety attacks are typically related to something that is perceived as stressful or threatening..
You can often determine triggers for anxiety attacks, yet panic attacks may occur randomly or spontaneously. Anxiety attacks are also milder than panic attacks.
Panic Attack vs Anxiety Attack Symptoms
Panic and anxiety attacks are made up of emotional and physical symptoms. They share similarities, but there are a few key differences when it comes to panic attack vs anxiety attack symptoms. Anxiety attacks can often progress into panic attacks. Residual physical and emotional effects are felt after both types of attacks.
Symptom | Anxiety Attack | Panic Attack |
|---|---|---|
Apprehension or worry | Yes | No |
Distress | Yes | No |
Restlessness | Yes | No |
Fear | Yes | Yes |
Fear of dying or losing control | No | Yes |
Derealization (a sense of detachment from the world) | No | Yes |
Depersonalization (a sense of detachment from oneself) | No | Yes |
Heart palpitations or an accelerated heart rate | Yes | Yes |
Shortness of breath | Yes | Yes |
Tightness in the throat or like you are choking | Yes | Yes |
Dry mouth | Yes | Yes |
Sweating | Yes | Yes |
Chills or hot flashes | Yes | Yes |
Trembling or shaking | Yes | Yes |
Numbness or tingling (paresthesia) | Yes | Yes |
Nausea, abdominal pain, or upset stomach | Yes | Yes |
Headache | Yes | Yes |
Feeling faint or dizzy | Yes | Yes |
Panic Attack Symptoms
Physical panic attack symptoms are often felt as more intense in comparison to anxiety attack symptoms. Other symptoms of a panic attack that do not occur with anxiety attacks include:
Fear of dying or losing control
Derealization (a sense of detachment from the world)
Depersonalization (a sense of detachment from oneself)
A panic attack can have no clear external triggers, which is another main difference between a panic attack vs anxiety attack.
Anxiety Attack Symptoms
Anxiety attacks often have external triggers, including but not limited to:
Health issues
Medications
Caffeine
Skipping meals (low blood sugar)
Negative thoughts
Financial concerns
Parties or social events
Relationship conflict
Daily stress (traffic, work, school, etc.)
What Causes Anxiety and Panic Attacks?
It is not clear what precisely causes anxiety attacks, but scientists believe that attacks have genetic components as well as developmental or environmental factors.
Some people are more prone to anxiety disorders due to genetics. If your first-degree relative has an anxiety disorder, then you are more likely to have an anxiety disorder. Because of this, it is thought that people may have biological vulnerabilities to anxiety attacks.
Another factor that causes anxiety and panic attacks are traumatic events that have occurred in childhood. Traumatic factors include:
Mental, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
Emotional or physical neglect
Parent who is an alcoholic
Parent who is a victim of domestic violence
Family member in jail
Family member diagnosed with mental illness
Divorce
Death or abandonment
If you have experienced any of these undesirable events before the age of 18, you are more likely to develop anxiety disorders.
How Long Do Panic and Anxiety Attacks Last?
Most panic attacks last between 5 and 30 minutes, with the average peak time around 10 minutes.
Attacks rarely last more than 30 minutes, but some people may experience cyclical attacks, which can come and go for an hour or more. The number of attacks depends on the severity of the condition. On average, you will feel some relief after 10 minutes during an attack.
Unfortunately, 10 minutes seems like an eternity when experiencing an anxiety or panic attack. While attacks may be scary, they are not dangerous. The physical and emotional pain may be almost unbearable to some, so it is important to have strategies to stop or reduce the number of attacks.
Treatment for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36% of those suffering from anxiety receive treatment.
The goal of treatment is to lower anxiety levels, give peace of mind, overcome fears, and reduce anxiety attacks. A combination of therapy, medication, and complementary therapies help treat anxiety.
Therapy
The first line of therapy treatment is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT changes negative thought patterns and is a widely used therapy for anxiety disorders. Research suggests that CBT is seen as the best kind of therapy for anxiety.
Nowadays, you can seek therapy treatment no matter where you are, from the comfort of your own home. PlushCare's therapists are here to help you. Make an appointment from your phone or computer with one of our licensed therapists to begin anxiety treatment online today.
Medication
According to the American Psychiatric Association, medication therapy is used as a treatment option for anxiety disorders. These medications are antidepressants, anxiolytics, and beta blockers used to treat anxiety disorders.
Antidepressant medications such as SSRIs or SNRIs are used as the first line medical treatment for anxiety disorders. Prescription medications may also be beneficial, because they can reduce anxiety symptoms so that patients can participate in therapy more successfully.
Our top, board-certified doctors here at PlushCare can help you by prescribing anxiety medications, including providing options for antidepressant prescription online. Book an appointment to speak with one of our physicians online today to determine if anxiety medication is right for you.
How to Deal with Anxiety and Panic Naturally
If you need ideas for ways to deal with an anxiety attack or panic attack at home, the good news is that there are relatively simple methods that may be able to help you.
Here are some natural ways to reduce panic and anxiety:
Take slow, deep breaths
Identify the symptoms and tell yourself it will pass soon
Practice mindfulness
Use relaxation techniques such as imagery
Use aromatherapy with essential oils (such as lavender and peppermint)
Use multi-sensory objects or toys (like a stress relief ball)
Drink ice cold water; the contrast between cold and warm can help ease anxiety
Rub together your hands or feet on a surface such as a chair or rug; this helps anchor yourself and allows you to focus on reality
Visualize your anxiety attack as a wave that passes you by and becomes less intense as it crests
Distract yourself by using a smartphone game, meditation app, or guided relaxation session
Color in an adult coloring book
Panic and Anxiety Attack Treatment Online
Anxiety and panic attacks are common symptoms of anxiety disorders. Anxiety can get worse over time, if not treated properly. If symptoms of anxiety are affecting your daily life, make an appointment with PlushCare today to speak with a doctor. With PlushCare, you can talk to a therapist or primary care physician online in order to get the right treatment, support, or medication for your panic or anxiety attack.
Read More About Anxiety Attacks and Panic Attacks
Sources
CDC. About the CDC-Kaiser ACE Study. Accessed on December 22, 2020 at https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/about.html
National Alliance on Mental Illness. Anxiety Disorders. Accessed on December 20, 2020 at https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Anxiety-Disorders
Psychiatry.org. What Are Anxiety Disorders? Accessed December 20, 2020 at https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/anxiety-disorders/what-are-anxiety-disorders
