Difference between Anxiety Attack and Panic Attack

These two conditions have similarities but are very different in terms of strength and how long they last. Here’s how to tell the difference.

Panic attack

One of the main things to know about a panic attack is that it’s a symptom of a panic disorder and it strikes out of the blue. The physical symptoms can include a racing heart rate, sweating, nausea, chest pain, dizziness, and expanded pupils. People will often feel a sense of trouble, looming death, or a loss of control.

Anxiety attack

With an anxiety attack, people will have symptoms like trouble sleeping, muscle tension, irritability, nausea, sweating, and difficulty concentrating. They just won’t be as forceful.

The physiology of panic attacks and anxiety attacks

A panic attack is the result of activation of the fear system—the considerate nervous system. It’s just going on at a time when there’s not anything exterior to be afraid of, which is what is so disturbing about it. In a panic attack, the body floods with adrenaline, activating the part of the brain that handles emotion—the amygdala. This adrenal surge causes the physical and emotional symptoms of a panic attack. When the flow subsides, your body and emotional state return to normal.

Anxiety attacks are similar, but just not as extreme. In anxiety, you see the release of the stress hormone cortisol, but it’s not the same as you get in a panic reaction.

Timing in panic attacks and anxiety attacks

A panic attack generally lasts five to 30 minutes and then often ends as shortly as it began. Sometimes, though, after a panic attack, there might be “little aftershocks,” often focused on concern about another panic attack.

Anxiety attack can be maintained for up to five hours. Some types of anxiety attacks—worrying about a job interview, say—come and go. But in the case of anxiety disorders, it can be chronic and disabling.

How to ease such attacks

Because panic attacks share many symptoms with heart attacks, the first one can be truly frightening. The first thing to do is prevent an actual cardiac event. Once a doctor has made sure your heart is fine, try practicing a soft diversion. Gently shifting your attention to something other than the panic can be helpful.

With anxiety, learning relaxation techniques may be helpful. Deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, or other calming exercises may help divert you from worry.

Causes of anxiety and panic attacks

While the causes of panic attacks are murky, there are factors that can predispose you, such as your genetics, personal temperament, and major life stresses. Other risk factors include being female, a traumatic life event, major life changes, and a history of childhood abuse. The causes of anxiety are the same secretive mix of genetics, brain chemistry, and life experience.

How to manage anxiety and panic attack

Though each type of anxiety requires its own treatment path, many may respond to steps that include the following:

• Accepting a certain lack of control
• Learning your stress and anxiety triggers
• Daily exercise, ample sleep, and balanced meals
• Taking breaths and breaks
• Helping others through service
• Talking to a therapist

Treatment for recurring panic attacks

If you’re having repeated panic attacks, the first line of treatment is mental behavioural therapy. This attitude helps you change how you think and respond to your thoughts. Other therapeutic approaches might include benzodiazepines medications such as Ativan or Xanax or Klonopin. Many people who have repeated attacks tend to avoid experiences and places that might cause anxiety—or even just prompt the person of a panic attack. But therapy for panic attacks aims to expose people slowly to their fears.

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