Medically reviewed by Kendra Kubala, PsyD, Psychology — By Carly Vandergriendt — Updated on October 19, 2021
You might hear people talking about panic attacks and anxiety attacks like they’re the same thing. They’re different conditions though. What is an anxiety attack?The DSM-5 does not mention anxiety attacks, but it does define anxiety as a feature of a number of common psychiatric disorders. What is a panic attack?Panic attacks come on suddenly and involve intense and often overwhelming fear. They’re accompanied by very challenging 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. 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. Symptoms of anxiety include: 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 person has never experienced despite indicating that they too have had an “anxiety attack.” Read on to find out more about the differences between panic attacks and anxiety. 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:
Unexpected panic attacks have no clear external triggers. Expected panic attacks and anxiety can be triggered by similar things. Some common triggers include: Anxiety and panic attacks have similar risk factors. These include:
People who experience anxiety are at an increased risk of experiencing panic attacks. However, having anxiety does not mean you will experience a panic attack. Doctors can’t diagnose anxiety attacks, but they can diagnose:
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: Speak with your doctor about other treatments for anxiety and panic attacks. Here are some treatments they may discuss with you. Counseling and psychotherapyTalking therapies for anxiety and panic disorders can involve the following, often in combination.
Your doctor may suggest attending individual sessions, group sessions, or a combination of the two. MedicationExamples of medications your doctor may prescribe are:
All these drugs can have adverse effects. SSRIs and SNRIs are for long-term use, and it can take time to feel the effects. Benzodiazepines are for short-term use only, as there is a high risk of dependence. Oftentimes, your doctor will recommend a combination of treatments. They may also need to alter your treatment plan over time. You should speak with 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 happens can help you feel like you’re in control. If you feel an anxiety or panic attack coming on, try the following:
Lifestyle changesThe following lifestyle changes can help you prevent anxiety and panic attacks, as well as reduce the severity of symptoms when an attack occurs:
Panic attacks and anxiety attacks are not 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 healthcare professional if anxiety- or panic-related symptoms are affecting your everyday life. Read this article in Spanish. Last medically reviewed on October 19, 2021 |