Anxiety vs Panic Attacks

Society has idolized mental illness so much resulting in no one taking it serious, for example anxiety and panic attacks. Do we even know the difference between the two? Do we understand how serious these attacks are? The answer is, no. Although anxiety and panic attacks may have similar symptoms, they are not the same.

• Panic attacks can occur without a trigger whereas anxiety usually occurs as a response to a stressor or a threat.

• Panic attacks are disruptive and sometimes the physical symptoms are more intense while anxiety attacks may vary from mild to severe

• Panic attacks usually happen randomly, while anxiety attacks can gradually become more intense over minutes, hours, or days

• Panic attacks usually subside within a few minutes, while anxiety can continue for longer periods

What are Panic Attacks you may ask?

Panic attacks are a type of fear response. It’s an amplification of your body’s regular response to danger, stress or excitement. It may be described as “ A sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.” Symptoms of a panic attack are usually short-lived, lasting around 10-15 minutes. During a panic attack, the body’s fight-or-flight response takes over and the physical symptoms are more intense than symptoms of an anxiety attack.

Some of these symptoms include:

• pain in your chest

• nausea

• hot flashes

• shortness of breath or feeling like you’re suffocating

• a pounding or racing heartbeat

• feeling dizzy or light headed

• trembling or shaking

• feeling of unreality and detachment

• severe headache

Panic attacks may also bring up a lot of fear such as:

• sense of impending danger

• fear of losing control

• fear of having a heart attack

• fear of death

Symptoms of anxiety attacks are more severe than regular anxiety but less severe than a panic attack. It may last minutes or persist for days, even weeks. In some situations anxiety attacks maybe a prelude to a panic attack.

Some of these symptoms may include:

• feeling on edge or irritable

• having difficulty concentrating or controlling worries

• experiencing periods where your mind goes blank

• sleeping problems or restlessness

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What can I do during either one of these attacks?

• Practicing mindfulness

• Close your eyes or find a focus object

• Think about a color that makes you feel warm

• Focusing on your breathing while counting to fifteen slowly

• Sit or lay down somewhere where it’s quiet

What can I do to reduce my stress and anxiety on a daily basis?

• Exercise daily (even if its just for a few minutes)

• A healthy diet (so you aren’t always restless)

• Try and get a good 8 hours of sleep

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If someone around you is experiencing a panic or anxiety attack please don’t invalidate their feelings. Instead help slow their breathing by breathing with him or her and slowly count to five. Don’t assume the person needs physical contact to calm down unless THEY give you permission to touch them. Instead of getting irritated with the individual that’s experiencing an attack, keep calm, talk in short simple sentences and stay with the person.