What is the Difference Between a Panic Attack and an Anxiety Attack?

Panic attatcks and anxiety attacks often feel very similar and share a lot of emotional and physical symptoms. However, they are two different conditions and it is possible to experiences these two concurrently at the same time. For example, you can experience extreme anxiety while worrying about a specific stressful event and when the situation arrives, the anxiety can lead to a panic attack. Panic attacks come on suddenly and involve overwhelming fear.

Some of the symptoms that are created from both panic attacks and anxiety attacks include:

• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating 
• Accelerated heart rate
• Trembling or shaking
• Chills or hot flashes
• Headache
• Feeling dizzy
• Dry mouth  

The emotional symtoms of an anxiety attack consists of: 

• Apprehension or worry 
• Fear
• Distress

The emtional symptoms of a panic attack consists of: 

• Fear of dying or losing control
• A sense of detachment from the world or oneself 
• Fear

Though it is difficult to distinguish between an anxiety attack and a panic attack, especially if it is occuring in the moment, it is important to understand that these symtoms may have an effect on your behavior leading you to avoid situations or places you think you may be at risk of a panic attack.  

Here are ways to cope with the symtoms:

• Take slow deep breaths
• Recognize and accept what you are experiencing 
• Practice mindfulness
• Use relaxation techniques

The best and easiest way to cope with these attacks are to change up your lifestyle to reduce the severity of the effects. Some changes you can make include:

• Learning how to identify and stop negative thoughts 
• Eating a well balaned diet 
• Practice medication or yoga
• Get regular, moderate exercise 
• Limit the use of drugs, alcohol, and cafffeine
• Join a support group or talk about it with friends and family

If the remedies listed above are not affective and it is still continuing to affect your everyday life, you can also speak to a psychiatrist for other treatments. A list of solutions include, antidepressants, antianxiety drugs, and benzodiazepines. In addition, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can be used for the symptoms of anxiety, which is noninvasive and effective. 

Give us a call at (714) 867-7037 to schedule an appointment or to request for more information.