Anxiety Attack or Panic Attack?

Many people suffer from panic attacks. These are sometimes confused with anxiety attacks and that can have very similar symptoms. The main differences between panic and anxiety attacks are how long they last and the intensity of the attack.

Anxiety is that uncomfortable feeling of worry and dread and can last for a few minutes, and in some cases, up to several hours. The intensity can depend on the particular situation, as feelings of anxiety come from the stressful anticipation of some future event. This type of anxiety can be labeled anticipatory anxiety. Is can be seen as something bad or unwanted because people can misinterpret their bodies' reactions to the stress this type of anxiety can produce.

The symptoms of anticipatory anxiety can include feelings can be dizziness, nervousness, upset stomach, fidgeting, breathing, rapid heartbeat, and even paranoia. The level of anxiety a person feels during an anxiety attack is high, but it is not as intense as what an individual feels during a panic attack. Usually, after the event or situation has passed, there is a marked decrease in the amount of anxiety the individual feels.

On the other hand, a panic attack happens almost spontaneously, and there is no apparent trigger that can be easily identified. An individual may go from feeling normal, to suddenly experiencing an intense fear and anxiety sometimes within a few seconds. Panic attack sufferers usually experience feelings of fear, detachment, thoughts of impending doom, intense chest pain, problems breathing. They may also have irrational thoughts, nervousness, and extreme anxiety. Oftentimes they may feel the need to flee because they feel trapped either by their situation or by location. Panic attacks sufferers may also experience severe paranoia, a need to feel safe, but not knowing what to do in order to attain it. They may also experience the inability to talk coherently about their current feeling and the feeling that they are going crazy. In addition, they may experience a feeling of loss of control over their life.

In most cases, panic attacks usually only last a few minutes, but in some cases can last up to a few hours. The individual usually feels drained or worn out once the attack is over. The individual may be tired and usually will want to sleep once all the symptoms have disappeared.

Individual coping with anxiety can learn to perform various breathing exercises, do CPT (cognitive behavioral therapy), and take medications if deemed medically necessary. All of these are recognized to be helpful in helping them to overcome their anxiety.

People suffering panic attacks though, in many cases is actually experiencing a form of panic disorder. This condition is usually much harder to deal with. Panic attacks have no apparent trigger and usually come about without any warning signals. Panic attack sufferers have several options available to them that include medications, therapy, and support groups. Usually learning to deal with situations in a positive manner is beneficial. Without treatment, most panic attack sufferers may be prone to developing additional, more severe symptoms such as behavioral modification and avoidance of certain situations and locations. In severe cases, the person may eventually develop agoraphobia, more commonly described as the fear of being outside or in public.

Anxiety and panic attacks are similar as they are both very uncomfortable experiences and they can leave the sufferer with both emotional and physical effects. They share similar symptoms, but in realality, they are different phenomenon. Anxiety is uncomfortable, but usually does not leave people with a fear of a situation. Anxiety sufferers usually to not feel the need to flee, or do not feel as if they are going crazy.

A panic attack is a shorter-lived experience, but in many ways it be much more intense and can have more severe, lasting effects then an anxiety attack. A person who has repeated panic attack in social situations may begin to avoid those situations or locations simply because of the negative association made the sufferer makes with the event or location.

Both panic attacks and anxiety attacks are very unpleasant events to live through. Fortunately, both are treatable. The first step for the panic or anxiety attack sufferer is to realize they may need treatment. Panic attack sufferers are oftentimes able to control or eventually eliminate their panic attacks given time and the proper treatment. Sphere: Related Content