Panic Attack vs Anxiety Attack: What is the Difference?

Have you or someone you cared about had one of those very bad days leading to a moment where it’s hard to breathe, or there is a sharp pain in the chest? That must have been scary! What you or your loved one experienced may have been a Panic Attack or an Anxiety Attack!  Knowing the difference between Panic Attack vs Anxiety Attack will help you understand how you can manage the situation accordingly. This may possibly save a life as sometimes these attacks can be fatal.   

This blog will teach you all you need to know about Panic Attack vs Anxiety Attack and how they can be similar. It will address their symptoms, causes and risk factors. It will also address the different ways you can manage them. 

Table of Contents 

1) What is a Panic Attack? 

2) What is an Anxiety Attack? 

3) Similarities between a Panic Attack and an Anxiety Attack 

4) Diagnosis and treatments for anxiety and Panic Attacks 

5) Conclusion 

What is a Panic Attack? 

Panic Attacks can occur out of the blue at any time. Many wake from their sleep in a state of panic, without any specific trigger. However, some experience Panic Attacks with specific triggers based on stress levels and specific phobias. A sense of panic due to a trigger often results in avoidance behaviours, where you may avoid the stimuli that act as a trigger to avoid having a Panic Attack.   

A Panic Attack often feels severe; one may find it hard to breathe and have an increased heart rate and sharp chest pains. The frequency of these attacks would classify one to a panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder.
 

Symptoms  

1) Dizziness 

2) Racing heart rate 

3) Chest pains  

4) Feelings of fear 

5) Hyperventilating  

6) Shivers  

Causes 

There are several different factors that may cause a Panic Attack. Here are some types: 

Psychological: 

1) Chronic stress 

2) Low self-esteem 

3) Existing Mental Health conditions like Phobia, OCD or PTSD 

Pharmacological: 

1) Alcohol, drugs or medication withdrawal 

2) Medication side effects 

3) Excessive intake of caffeine 

Environmental: 

1) Physical illness  

2) Significant changes in life 

3) Experience of personal loss 

Risk factor  

Panic Attacks can be fatal; resulting in an increased heart rate, which if not controlled, can lead one to have a cardiac arrest. The experience overall can be rather traumatic for the person and their loved ones. Children who witness a parent, sibling or close family member have higher chances of having Panic Attacks themself.   

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What is an Anxiety Attack? 

Contrary to popular belief, Anxiety Attack is not a technical term that is formally acknowledged. What many people refer to as Anxiety Attacks is simply the experience of being anxious. A restless, jittery feeling, accompanied by irritability, in a way that is overwhelming.   

It usually is a response to a situation that may be stressful or feel threatening. It tends to escalate over time and persist for longer. The intensity may differ from mild, moderate to severe.   

Symptoms  

1) Worry and dread 

2) Distress 

3) Restlessness  

4) Disturbed sleep 

5) Irritability 

Causes 

1) Stress  

2) Depression 

3) Drug use  

4) Phobias 

5) Unpleasant events  

Risk factor 

Anxiety can hold one back from achieving one's goals or targets and completing important tasks. It can hinder day-to-day activity and stunt a person’s development and growth. It may also result in substance abuse, as avoidant behaviour may lead one to consume and rely on substances.   

Also Read: How to Reduce Anxiety Immediately

Similarities between a Panic Attack and an Anxiety Attack 

As panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder, they do share a large number of symptoms. However, the intensity of the symptoms may differ. The symptoms are more intense in a Panic Attack, whereas in an Anxiety Attack, they are rather mild. Here is a list of common symptoms that the two share.    

1) Increased heart rate 

2) Palpitations 

3) Chest pain 

4) Feeling of fear 

5) Breathing difficulties 

6) The feeling of a lump in the throat or chocking 

7) Heat flashes or chills 

8) Nausea  

9) Dehydration  

10) Numbness in body 

Diagnosis and treatments for anxiety and Panic Attacks 

As any medical professional would emphasise, self-diagnoses are very unhealthy and can lead to further damage. If you acknowledge yourself or someone you love displaying the symptoms you show, it is best to book an appointment with a General Psychologist or a Psychiatrist.   

These professionals will use standardised tests to determine if you have a problem and how severely it persists. Accordingly, they will come up with a treatment plan and specific means for you to manage your symptoms.   

The treatment can consist of simple home practices that can help manage symptoms and professional therapy. If the severity is high, hard to manage and potentially life-threatening, then the Psychiatrist would prescribe certain medications to aid in managing Panic or Anxiety attacks. 

Home remedies 

The recommended measures you can take to reduce your anxiety symptoms are as follows:  

1) Limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine  

2) Reduce stressors in your environment  

3) Establish a healthy diet to avoid lack of nutrition and stay hydrated 

4) Get proper eight hours of sleep  

5) Practice yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises.  

During an attack:  

When you or your loved one is having an attack, here are some ways you can manage the situation effectively:  

1) Acknowledge the symptoms you or they are having and remind yourself that it will pass. 

2) Breathing techniques are a great way to calm oneself. Practice breathing in counts of four, breath in four counts, hold four counts, breath out in four counts, which is called square breathing. This helps regulate the heart rate and concentrating on your breathing can help deviate your mind from the trigger momentarily.  

3) Relaxation techniques is another way to help one calm down. Progressive muscle relaxation technique (tightening and loosening parts of your body in a certain order to help relax) or guided imagery with a friend can help reduce panic and feelings of anxiety.  

4) Mindfulness helps you stay grounded in the present moment. It helps to name five things in the room you see, four things that you can touch, three things you can smell, two things you can taste and one emotion you feel.  

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Medical treatments 

Based on the extent of your illness, the mental healthcare providers will formulate a treatment plan. This treatment will consist of therapy and/or medication. Let’s understand them better.  

Therapy – Psychological therapy sessions can help identify triggers and manage the symptoms accordingly. It helps come to terms with the past and reasons it may cause anxiety in the present and eliminate it in the future. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most common therapy plans chosen to help manage anxiety disorders.  

Medication – in severe cases, a Psychiatrist may prescribe one or two of the four kinds of medications to help manage symptoms. The four types are as follows: 

a) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)- These are a type of antidepressant that increase the serotonin levels in the brain. 

b) Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)- These are another type of antidepressant that increase serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. 

c) Pregabalin – If the antidepressants don't work, the doctor may prescribe you with pregabalin, an anticonvulsant. That minimises seizures and the severity of epilepsy and reduces symptoms of anxiety. 

d) Benzodiazepines – These are often prescribed as short-term or SOS medication to take when you have an unmanageable attack. These are a form of sedative and should not be over-consumed. 

Conclusion 

This blog explained the difference between Panic Attack vs Anxiety Attack. It also shed light on their symptoms, causes and risk factors. Additionally, this blog addressed their similarities, diagnoses and treatment options. If you or someone you love are troubled by either, we hope this blog helped you understand them and recommend you reach out to a mental health specialist.   

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