Anxiety or Panic Attack
There is sometimes confusion between what anxiety is and what a panic attack is. although both are very similar they do have distinct characteristics and differences.
Anxiety Attacks
An anxiety attack, sometimes referred to as a panic attack, is an unforeseen periods or incidents where there is a sudden fright or fear of intense proportions. These attacks focus on fears that are most often not rational; however the person with the disorder believes he or she is in terrible
danger or at extreme risk. Most often these anxiety attacks occur all of a sudden; i.e. they are not planned nor do they come with any type of warning mechanism built in for advance action. Results are that the person suffering the attack will feel about to faint or near death is door.
People who suffer anxiety attacks report the following symptoms, listed in no particular order:
- Discomfort or pain in the chest
- Vertigo or Dizziness
- Upset stomach / Nausea
- Loss of Control, Loss of Mental Stability Stress
- Cold or hot flashes
- Heart palpitations or near heart attack
- Shallow breathing
- Shakes / Trembling
Anxiety disorder is characterized as having anxiety feelings that are “always there / all inclusive,” make people want to isolate themselves from society and hamper everyday activities with others.
Panic Attacks
On the other hand, a panic attack does not carry with it that “always there” association. In fact, panic episodes generally burst forth, peaking after roughly 10 minutes or so, then ending after about 25 minutes.
During a panic attack, 4 of the symptoms listed below (in no particular order) generally make an appearance:
Shallow breathing, even to the point of suffocation
sensation…
- Increased heart rates
- Tightness of chest
- Shakes / Trembling / Sweating
- Choking sensation
- Upset Stomach / Nausea
- Vertigo
- Surreal feelings
- Loss of Control, especially of mental faculties
- Death coming on
- Numbing
- Cold or hot flashes
The Difference
The main difference between anxiety attacks and panic attacks is in the duration of the attack and how intense it is for the person with the affliction. While anxiety attacks are less hi-stress, they tend to last longer than the
power-packed panic stressors. Of course there is much more written on both disorders to help people learn how to deal with them in depth.
