Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the world. Some people experience more severe symptoms than others, while some regularly experience anxiety attacks. Most people have heard of both anxiety attacks and panic attacks and tend to use them interchangeably. However, there are differences between the two. Why is that important? When you recognize those differences, you can clearly determine what you’re actually going through and how you can help yourself work through it. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how an anxiety attack differs from a panic attack, as well as some of the common symptoms of both.
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack usually comes on very suddenly, sometimes without a noticeable cause. They often cause a lot of fear and can lead to physical responses such as sweating, shortness of breath, and a racing heart. Anxiety attacks are more open to interpretation than panic attacks. Because anxiety tends to build over time when you think about a particular situation or event, the symptoms can be similar to those of a panic attack. The two can even occur at the same time.
What Are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety attacks are very similar, with a few notable exceptions. An anxiety attack can cause restlessness and worry, but a panic attack can cause fear and a sense of losing control. You might also feel detached when having a panic attack, as though you’re having an out-of-body experience or you’re not a part of reality anymore.
Both types of attacks, however, tend to cause symptoms like:
Headaches
Sweating
Nausea
Trembling
Shortness of breath
Feeling dizzy
The major difference between these two issues is that anxiety can come in varying severities. It can also build gradually over time, and often you can go through your daily activities while still dealing with it. Panic attacks don’t allow you to do that. Instead, they come on quickly and often out of the blue. They are almost always severe and involve disruptive symptoms that make it nearly impossible to do or think about anything else.
What Causes Panic Attacks?
While panic attacks can be brought on by lingering anxiety, a variety of things can trigger them without warning. From stressing over your job to reminders of a traumatic experience, there’s really no limit as to what can cause you to experience extreme panic. Sometimes, even medications, pain, and chronic illnesses can contribute to the sudden arrival of a panic attack. You might be more at risk for anxiety and panic attacks if you’ve experienced trauma, are under a lot of stress or have another mental health condition. You also are at greater risk if you regularly use drugs or alcohol.
Can Anxiety Attacks and Panic Attacks Be Stopped?
To get control over your anxiety, it’s necessary to receive an official diagnosis from a doctor or mental health professional. If you explain your symptoms and let a professional know that you’ve been struggling with panic attacks, they’ll likely work to treat the underlying anxiety. Sudden panic is less likely to occur when your anxiety is lower, and your stress feels more manageable.
It’s always important to get to the root cause of any mental health issue, especially when it’s lowering your quality of life. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety or panic attacks, working with a mental health professional should be your first step toward finding the freedom you deserve.
Don’t hesitate to contact me for more information or to schedule an appointment. You can live a life free from panic attacks and learn how to manage your anxiety every day with treatment.