There are several similarities between a panic attack and an anxiety attack. But anxiety is often triggered by certain stressors and may build gradually. On the other hand, panic attacks can occur unexpectedly and abruptly. You might hear people talking about panic attacks and anxiety attacks like they’re the same thing. But they’re different conditions. Read on to find out more about the differences between panic attacks and anxiety. The “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition” (DSM-5) does not mention anxiety attacks, but it does define anxiety as a feature of a number of common psychiatric disorders. This includes the following conditions: Anxiety is usually related to the anticipation of a stressful situation, experience, or event. It may come on gradually. Symptoms of anxiety include: The lack of diagnostic recognition of anxiety attacks means that the signs and symptoms are open to interpretation. That is, a person may describe having an “anxiety attack” and have symptoms that another person has never experienced despite indicating that they, too, have had an “anxiety attack.” Panic attacks come on suddenly and involve intense and often overwhelming fear. They’re accompanied by very challenging physical symptoms, like a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, or nausea. DSM-5 recognizes panic attacks and categorizes them as unexpected or expected. Unexpected panic attacks occur without an obvious cause. Expected panic attacks are cued by external stressors, like phobias. Panic attacks can happen to anyone, but having more than one may be a sign of panic disorder, a mental health condition characterized by sudden and repeated panic attacks. Panic and anxiety attacks may feel similar, and they share a lot of emotional and physical symptoms. You can experience both an anxiety and a panic attack at the same time. For instance, you might experience anxiety while worrying about a potentially stressful situation, like an important presentation at work. When the situation arrives, anxiety may culminate in a panic attack. A panic attack or anxiety attack can both cause physical and emotional symptoms, including:
It may be difficult to know whether what you’re experiencing is anxiety or a panic attack. Keep in mind the following:
Unexpected panic attacks have no clear external triggers. Expected panic attacks and anxiety can be triggered by similar things. Some common triggers include: Anxiety and panic attacks have similar risk factors. These include:
People who experience anxiety are at an increased risk of experiencing panic attacks. But having anxiety does not mean you will experience a panic attack. Doctors can’t diagnose anxiety attacks, but they can diagnose:
A doctor will ask you about your symptoms and conduct tests to rule out other health conditions with similar symptoms, like heart disease or thyroid problems. To get a diagnosis, a doctor may conduct: Speak with a doctor about other treatments for anxiety and panic attacks. Here are some treatments they may discuss with you. Counseling and psychotherapyTalking therapies for anxiety and panic disorders can involve the following, often in combination.
A doctor may suggest attending individual sessions, group sessions, or a combination of the two. MedicationExamples of medications your doctor may prescribe are:
All these drugs can have adverse effects. SSRIs and SNRIs are for long-term use, and it can take time to feel the effects. Benzodiazepines are for short-term use only, as there is a high risk of dependence. Oftentimes, a doctor will recommend a combination of treatments. They may also need to alter your treatment plan over time. You should speak with a doctor or mental health professional to find out what you can do to both prevent and treat anxiety- and panic-related symptoms. Having a treatment plan and sticking to it when an attack happens can help you feel like you’re in control. If you feel an anxiety or panic attack coming on, try the following:
Lifestyle changesThe following lifestyle changes can help you prevent anxiety and panic attacks, as well as reduce the severity of symptoms when an attack occurs:
Panic attacks and anxiety attacks are not the same. Though these terms are often used interchangeably, only panic attacks are identified in the DSM-5. Anxiety and panic attacks have similar symptoms, causes, and risk factors. But panic attacks tend to be more intense and are often accompanied by more severe physical symptoms. You should contact a healthcare professional if anxiety- or panic-related symptoms are affecting your everyday life. Read this article in Spanish. Last medically reviewed on September 29, 2022 Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Sep 30, 2022 Written By Carly Vandergriendt Medically Reviewed By Nicole Washington, DO, MPH Copy Edited By Connor Rice Oct 19, 2021 Written By Carly Vandergriendt Medically Reviewed By Kendra Kubala, PsyD Copy Edited By Delores Smith-Johnson |