27 Jul Panic vs. Anxiety

You might hear people talking about panic attacks and anxiety attacks like they’re the same thing—but they’re not. Panic and anxiety attacks are different conditions.

It’s helpful to separate the two and examine them individually.

What are panic attacks?

Panic attacks come on suddenly and involve intense and often overwhelming fear. They’re accompanied by frightening physical symptoms, such as a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, or nausea.

The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) recognizes panic attacks, and categorizes them as unexpected or expected. 1

Unexpected panic attacks occur without an obvious cause. Expected panic attacks are cued by external stressors, such as phobias. Panic attacks can happen to anyone, but having more than one may be a sign of panic disorder.

Okay, so what are anxiety attacks?

Anxiety attacks aren’t recognized in the DSM-5. The DSM-5 does, however, define anxiety as a feature of a number of common psychiatric disorders.

Symptoms of anxiety include worry, distress, and fear. Anxiety is usually related to the anticipation of a stressful situation, experience, or event. It may come on gradually.

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 has never experienced despite indicating that they too have had an “anxiety attack.”

Symptoms

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, such as an important presentation at work. When the situation arrives, anxiety may culminate in a panic attack.

It may be difficult to know whether what you’re experiencing is anxiety or a panic attack. Keep in mind the following:

Causes

Unexpected panic attacks have no clear external triggers. Expected panic attacks and anxiety can be triggered by similar things. Some common triggers include:

• a stressful job
• driving
• social situations
• phobias, such as agoraphobia (fear of crowded or open spaces), claustrophobia (fear of small spaces), and acrophobia (fear of heights)
• reminders or memories of traumatic experiences
• chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, or asthma
• chronic pain
• withdrawal from drugs or alcohol
• caffeine
• medication and supplements
• thyroid problems

Risk factors

Anxiety and panic attacks have similar risk factors. These include:

• experiencing trauma or witnessing traumatic events, either as a child or as an adult
• experiencing a stressful life event, such as the death of a loved one or a divorce
• experiencing ongoing stress and worries, such as work responsibilities, conflict in your family, or financial woes
• living with a chronic health condition or life-threatening illness
• having an anxious personality
• having another mental health disorder, such as depression
• having close family members who also have anxiety or panic disorders
• using drugs or alcohol

People who experience anxiety are at an increased risk of experiencing panic attacks. However, having anxiety doesn’t mean you will experience a panic attack.

Reaching a diagnosis

Doctors can’t diagnose anxiety attacks, but they can diagnose:

• anxiety symptoms
• anxiety disorders
• panic attacks
• panic disorders

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and conduct tests to rule out other health conditions with similar symptoms, such as heart disease or thyroid problems.

To get a diagnosis, your doctor may conduct:

• a physical exam
• blood tests
• a heart test, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• a psychological evaluation or questionnaire

Home remedies

You should speak to your doctor or another 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 strikes can help you feel like you’re in control.

If you feel an anxiety or panic attack coming on, try the following:

Other treatments

Speak to your doctor about other treatments for anxiety and panic attacks. Some common treatments include psychotherapy or medication, including:

• antidepressants
• antianxiety drugs
• benzodiazepines

Oftentimes, your doctor will recommend a combination of treatments. You may also need to alter your treatment plan over time.

TL;DR

Panic attacks and anxiety attacks aren’t 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. However, panic attacks tend to be more intense and are often accompanied by more severe physical symptoms.

You should contact a doctor if anxiety- or panic-related symptoms are affecting your everyday life.