Panic Attack vs. Anxiety Attack: Understanding the Differences

You have probably heard the terms panic attack and anxiety attack used interchangeably; however, they are not quite the same. So what is the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack? And what symptoms do different types of anxiety present? Understanding how to distinguish one from the other can help you know the best way to manage an attack when it comes on and potentially prevent or reduce the severity of an attack.

If panic or anxiety attacks are taking over your life, reach out to the caring professionals at Confidant Health. Our virtual anxiety treatment program can help you start feeling better quickly. Get started today by downloading our app and scheduling a convenient online assessment.

What Is a Panic Attack?

A panic attack is an episode that involves sudden feelings of intense fear without an apparent cause or actual danger to oneself. They often seem to come out of nowhere, and it can be difficult to identify the source of the fear. Thankfully, panic attacks are rare for most people and may only occur during highly stressful periods. However, some people experience panic attacks repeatedly, which is referred to as panic disorder. Whether you have only a few panic attacks in your lifetime or struggle with panic disorder, these attacks can be incredibly frightening and interfere with your quality of life.

Definition

A panic attack is defined as an episode of intense fear without apparent danger or cause.

Risk Factors 

Although there is typically no real danger present when having a panic attack, some underlying risk factors can make you more susceptible to an attack. Some common risk factors for panic attacks are:

• Changes in the brain
• Lower resilience to stress
• Genetic predisposition
• History of abuse during childhood
• Being female
• Having a mental health condition
• Having a substance use disorder

Knowing the causes of panic attacks can help you make some changes in your life to help you avoid them. For example, if your parents, siblings, or other relatives have suffered panic attacks, you can be proactive by learning how to reduce the chances of an attack.

Possible Triggers

On top of risk factors for panic attacks, there are triggers that can instigate an episode, such as:

• Consuming too much caffeine
• Heavy smoking
• Major life changes like divorce or relocating 
• Excessive stress
• Traumatic events such as witnessing a serious accident or assault

If you have one or more risk factors for panic attacks, you should try to minimize triggers whenever possible. Although some of the above are not within your control, you can follow steps for panic attack prevention to reduce the chances of having one.

Symptoms

The symptoms of panic attacks significantly impact your mind and body.

Mental

The most common mental symptoms of a panic attack are:

• Severe anxiety
• A sudden sense of fear
• A strong feeling that something bad is going to happen
• Worrying that you are going to lose control

This abrupt feeling of fear and anxiety can take you by surprise since the triggers are not always obvious.

Physical

Some common physical symptoms of a panic attack include:

• Chest pain
• Choking sensation
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Heart palpitations
• Nausea
• Shaking
• Sweating

Some people also feel as though they cannot catch their breath. In some cases, people having panic attacks may think they’re having a heart attack or that they’re going to die.

Duration and Occurrence

The average panic attack lasts between five to 30 minutes.

Diagnosis

The first time you have a panic attack, you may not realize what is happening. The experience can come on suddenly, convincing you that you’re having a heart attack or dying. To help prevent future attacks, you should reach out to your provider for a proper diagnosis. This is also important to rule out any other health conditions contributing to or mimicking panic attacks.

Your provider will perform an exam and may run tests for health conditions like thyroid disease, respiratory conditions, and heart disease since these conditions can cause similar symptoms to panic attacks. If they don’t uncover a health problem causing your panic attacks, they will consider the possibility of a panic disorder. To diagnose this, they will ask you questions about your attacks, such as:

• How many panic attacks have you had, and how often do you have them?
• What symptoms do you experience when you have panic attacks?
• Do you have a family history of panic attacks?
• Have you undergone any significant stress or life events recently?
• Have you experienced any traumatic events in the past?

This interview will help them better understand your situation so they can determine whether your attacks are related to a temporary situation or a more chronic condition, like panic disorder.

Treatment and Medication

Whether you have occasional panic attacks or are diagnosed with panic disorder, your provider will develop a treatment plan to help you manage them. Treatment for panic attacks may consist of:

Medication

There are two types of medication most often prescribed for panic attacks: anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants.

Benzodiazepines like Xanax and Ativan are commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications for panic attacks. These are fast-acting medications that you can use in the event of a panic attack to calm your nervous system quickly. 

Antidepressants like Prozac and Paxil are also standard components of a treatment plan for panic attacks. These take a bit longer to work, approximately a few weeks to start feeling the effects.

Therapy

Although there are several types of therapy that can help you manage panic attacks, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common. This type of therapy addresses how your thoughts impact your behaviors. Your therapist will help identify distorted thought patterns that may contribute to the severity or frequency of panic attacks. They will also work with you to create a plan to prevent panic attacks by exploring triggers and finding ways to eliminate them or respond to them differently.

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What Is an Anxiety Attack?

An anxiety attack is similar to a panic attack, which is why many people confuse the two. However, they are affiliated with different types of anxiety. One of the primary differences between panic attacks and anxiety attacks is that the latter are usually less severe. Anxiety attacks also tend to come on gradually as your anxiety builds rather than appearing out of nowhere like panic attacks.

Definition

Although there is no clinical definition for anxiety attacks, they are generally referred to as episodes of intense fear. 

Risk Factors

Certain health conditions and lifestyle factors can put you at a higher risk of having an anxiety attack. Some risk factors for anxiety attacks are:

• Having a family history of anxiety disorders
• Childhood trauma
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Lower resilience to stress

Although being genetically predisposed to anxiety attacks is not within your control, you can address most other risk factors to reduce the chances of having an attack. 

Possible Triggers

An anxiety attack may be triggered by:

• Nervousness about a specific event such as a job interview, an exam, or public speaking
• A stressful work or home environment
• Excessive caffeine consumption
• Low blood sugar
• Social events
• Financial problems

Triggers for an anxiety attack tend to revolve around stress, so you can decrease the chances of having an attack by learning how to manage stress.

Symptoms

Anxiety attacks involve various mental and physical symptoms.

Mental

Some common mental symptoms of an anxiety attack are:

• Restlessness
• Worry
• Nervousness

Physical

Some physical symptoms you may experience during an anxiety attack include:

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Rapid heart rate
• Shallow breathing
• Sweating

Duration and Occurrence

Anxiety attacks usually last no more than 30 minutes. However, the anxiety that often leads to an attack can go on for days or weeks before the actual episode occurs.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing anxiety attacks is done similarly to panic attacks. To get a proper diagnosis for anxiety attacks, you should schedule an appointment with your provider. They will perform an exam to determine if there is a physical health issue that may be causing your anxiety. If they don’t find a medical condition at play, they may ask questions about your anxiety attacks regarding their frequency, preceding events, and symptoms. Depending on the provider, you may receive a referral for a therapist or psychiatrist for a full psychological evaluation.

Treatment and Medication

If you are prone to anxiety attacks or have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, your provider will develop a treatment plan consisting of medication and therapy. 

Medication

Depending on your situation, your provider may prescribe a combination of benzodiazepines and antidepressants.

Benzodiazepines like Klonopin and Valium can help relieve the symptoms of anxiety attacks or potentially prevent or reduce the severity of an attack.

Antidepressants like Lexapro and Zoloft are intended for long-term daily use and generally take a few weeks to kick in.

Therapy

Anxiety attacks can disrupt your life and leave you worried about when another attack will happen. Although medications can go a long way toward alleviating anxiety, you'll experience optimal results when you combine them with therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most commonly used type for people struggling with anxiety attacks and disorders. A therapist can help you change unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to anxiety. They can also help you gradually reduce your sensitivity to anxiety-provoking situations through exposure therapy exercises.

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What to Do?

Before

Once you have experienced an anxiety or panic attack, you will likely want to do whatever it takes to prevent another one from happening. There are a few strategies that can help reduce or eliminate future attacks:

Practice stress management techniques daily.

Stress is one of the biggest contributors to attacks, so you can help reduce their frequency by managing your stress levels. Stress management can look different for everyone, but some common methods are:

• Meditation
• Regular exercise
• Breathing exercises
• Yoga
• Qi gong
• Proper hydration
• Restful sleep

For some people, having a creative outlet can also alleviate stress. Engage in relaxing hobbies such as drawing, painting, woodworking, knitting, or even organizing your home.

Avoid substances that can trigger anxiety and panic attacks.

Some food and beverages can increase your risks of attacks or make them worse. Try to reduce or eliminate the following:

• Alcohol
• Caffeinated coffee or tea
• Chocolate
• Energy drinks
• Headache medications that contain caffeine
• Smoking

Avoiding these substances can help you feel calmer and more balanced, which may reduce the number of attacks you have.

Attend therapy sessions regularly.

A trained therapist can help you identify triggers for anxiety and panic attacks and devise a plan to reduce or eliminate them. They can also help you explore distorted thought patterns that may be feeding anxiety and fear.

During

There are several ways to manage anxiety or panic attacks when they occur, but it will take some trial and error to find the methods that work best for you. Some suggestions for what to do during an anxiety or panic attack are:

Acknowledge that your symptoms are caused by anxiety.

During an attack, your mind will likely be racing with thoughts of impending doom. It is important to acknowledge those symptoms for what they are — anxiety — and reaffirm that you are safe. 

Try to remain in the situation.

For many people experiencing an anxiety or panic attack, the instant reaction is to get out of the anxiety-provoking situation if possible. However, this just reinforces the fear response in your mind and body. Instead, you should try to stay in the situation and allow the anxiety to dissipate. This will get easier over time and help make you less reactive to similar situations in the future.

Practice breathing exercises.

When you have an anxiety or panic attack, your breathing becomes quicker and more shallow. Practicing breathing exercises during an attack can help regulate your breathing so that each breath becomes slower and more steady. This helps to calm your mind and body to alleviate feelings of fear and anxiety.

After

Once an attack has passed, there are a couple of things you can do to support your well-being:

Talk to someone about it.

It's important to have a supportive friend or family member who knows about your anxiety attacks. Sometimes, it can make you feel better simply to talk about your experience afterward. You can also let them know how they can help if they spot you having an anxiety attack in the future. And if you don't already have a therapist, this would be a great time to make some phone calls to set up an initial appointment.

Take care of yourself.

Good self-care is critical after an anxiety attack. Be especially kind to yourself and consider your needs at the time. You may need to eat something, drink a glass of water, get some rest, or go for a walk outside. 

Get Virtual Support for Anxiety and Panic Disorders at Confidant Health

Anxiety and panic attacks can be frightening at the time, but with professional anxiety treatment and support, you can learn how to manage them better. Get started with Confidant Health’s virtual anxiety treatment by scheduling an online assessment today.

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