Panic Attack vs Anxiety Attack

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You may use the terms panic attack vs anxiety attack interchangeably. However, they are not the same. Some characteristics distinguish one condition from the other, although they have similar symptoms and may appear to be the same on the surface. A smart recovery program in Midway Utah can help you get to the root of the cause. Panic attacks are more intense than anxiety attacks. They are also often unexplained, while anxiety attacks are associated with some type of trigger. Symptoms of anxiety are linked to numerous mental health conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and trauma, while panic attacks mainly affect those with panic disorder.

Panic Attacks

Panic attacks can seem to come out of nowhere with zero warning. A panic attack can occur with no trigger, making it hard to prepare for or identify. Symptoms of a panic attack may include:

  • Racing or pounding heartbeat

  • Chest pain or shortness of breath

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness, and hot flashes or chills

  • Numbness or tingling in the extremities

  • Sweating or shaking

  • Stomach pain or nausea

Symptoms of panic peak after ten minutes, then gradually go away. However, several panic attacks can occur in a row, making it seem like your attack is lasting for much longer. After your attack, you may feel stressed or worried.

Anxiety Attacks

While panic attacks come on suddenly, symptoms of anxiety follow a period of excessive worry. Symptoms may become more pronounced over a few minutes or hours. They are typically less intense than those of panic attacks, however, and are more manageable. Symptoms of anxiety attacks may include:

  • Chest pain and Dizziness

  • Fear

  • Irritability & restlessness

  • Muscle pain and numbness or tingling in the extremities

  • Rapid heart rate or shortness of breath

  • Lack of sleep or sudden disturbance in sleep, and easily startled

Anxiety symptoms often last longer than the symptoms of a panic attack. They may persist for days, weeks, or months. They can feel like they are always “under the surface.”

Identifying the Differences

So what are the differences between panic attacks vs anxiety attacks? In short, panic attacks usually occur without a trigger. Anxiety is a response to a perceived (and defined) trigger or threat. Symptoms of a panic attack are intense and disruptive. They often involve a sense of unrealistic thinking or detachment from your surroundings. Anxiety symptoms vary in intensity, from mild to severe. Panic attacks appear suddenly, while anxiety symptoms become gradually more intense over minutes, hours, or days. Panic attacks usually subside after a few minutes, while anxiety symptoms can prevail for long periods.

Treatment for Panic Attack or Anxiety conditions

Engaging in therapy can help you identify triggers and manage your attacks. Therapy can help you accept the circumstances that are causing your conditions such as work, history, mental condition, or other factors. A smart recovery program in Midway Utah can help you overcome the negative emotions, thoughts, and beliefs that may either trigger your attacks or make them worse. You may also want to consider some type of medication to help you with your attacks.

Find Out More About Treatment at Acqua Recovery

Now that you know the difference between a panic attack vs anxiety attack, it is now time to get treatment. For more information about treatment options available to you, contact Acqua Recovery. We offer comprehensive therapy for anxiety, panic attacks, addictions, and other mental conditions. Call us today at 866.830.4628 to start your treatment.

Panic Attack vs Anxiety Attack

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Dr. Daniel Pickrell

Dr. Daniel Pickrell
Medical Reviewer

Dr. Pickrell is a board-certified psychiatrist with interests in addiction and psychiatry. He strives to identify the underlying cause of substance use. His understanding of addiction as the overlapping symptoms of biopsychosocial development is the foundation to his care model. He is committed to helping both patients and families understand that addiction is a treatable medical illness. He has been involved in the treatment of addiction for the last 17 years and completed his residency training at the University of Utah.

By: Acqua Recovery

Posted Date: Jan 26, 2023

Updated Date: Nov 6, 2024

You may use the terms panic attack vs anxiety attack interchangeably. However, they are not the same. Some characteristics distinguish one condition from the other, although they have similar symptoms and may appear to be the same on the surface. A smart recovery program in Midway Utah can help you get to the root of the cause. Panic attacks are more intense than anxiety attacks. They are also often unexplained, while anxiety attacks are associated with some type of trigger. Symptoms of anxiety are linked to numerous mental health conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and trauma, while panic attacks mainly affect those with panic disorder.

Panic Attacks

Panic attacks can seem to come out of nowhere with zero warning. A panic attack can occur with no trigger, making it hard to prepare for or identify. Symptoms of a panic attack may include:

  • Racing or pounding heartbeat

  • Chest pain or shortness of breath

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness, and hot flashes or chills

  • Numbness or tingling in the extremities

  • Sweating or shaking

  • Stomach pain or nausea

Symptoms of panic peak after ten minutes, then gradually go away. However, several panic attacks can occur in a row, making it seem like your attack is lasting for much longer. After your attack, you may feel stressed or worried.

Anxiety Attacks

While panic attacks come on suddenly, symptoms of anxiety follow a period of excessive worry. Symptoms may become more pronounced over a few minutes or hours. They are typically less intense than those of panic attacks, however, and are more manageable. Symptoms of anxiety attacks may include:

  • Chest pain and Dizziness

  • Fear

  • Irritability & restlessness

  • Muscle pain and numbness or tingling in the extremities

  • Rapid heart rate or shortness of breath

  • Lack of sleep or sudden disturbance in sleep, and easily startled

Anxiety symptoms often last longer than the symptoms of a panic attack. They may persist for days, weeks, or months. They can feel like they are always “under the surface.”

Identifying the Differences

So what are the differences between panic attacks vs anxiety attacks? In short, panic attacks usually occur without a trigger. Anxiety is a response to a perceived (and defined) trigger or threat. Symptoms of a panic attack are intense and disruptive. They often involve a sense of unrealistic thinking or detachment from your surroundings. Anxiety symptoms vary in intensity, from mild to severe. Panic attacks appear suddenly, while anxiety symptoms become gradually more intense over minutes, hours, or days. Panic attacks usually subside after a few minutes, while anxiety symptoms can prevail for long periods.

Treatment for Panic Attack or Anxiety conditions

Engaging in therapy can help you identify triggers and manage your attacks. Therapy can help you accept the circumstances that are causing your conditions such as work, history, mental condition, or other factors. A smart recovery program in Midway Utah can help you overcome the negative emotions, thoughts, and beliefs that may either trigger your attacks or make them worse. You may also want to consider some type of medication to help you with your attacks.

Find Out More About Treatment at Acqua Recovery

Now that you know the difference between a panic attack vs anxiety attack, it is now time to get treatment. For more information about treatment options available to you, contact Acqua Recovery. We offer comprehensive therapy for anxiety, panic attacks, addictions, and other mental conditions. Call us today at 866.830.4628 to start your treatment.

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