Hello, I'm an expert in the field of mental health and wellness. I'm here to provide you with a detailed explanation of the differences between a panic attack and an anxiety attack.

Anxiety Attacks:
Anxiety attacks are episodes of intense fear or discomfort. They can occur when a person is facing a stressful situation or anticipating a potentially stressful event. Here are some characteristics of anxiety attacks:


1. Duration: Anxiety attacks are typically short-lived. They can last from a few seconds to about 10 minutes, although the residual feelings may persist for a longer period.


2. Trigger: These attacks usually have a clear trigger. It could be a specific situation, like an upcoming exam or a public speaking engagement, or a general sense of worry about life circumstances.


3. Symptoms: Symptoms of an anxiety attack can include feelings of fear or dread, a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, and a sense of impending doom. The person may also experience physical symptoms like chest pain, nausea, or lightheadedness.


4. Resolution: Once the stressor is removed or the person manages to calm themselves, the symptoms of an anxiety attack usually subside.

Panic Attacks:
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear that come on abruptly and reach a peak within minutes. Unlike anxiety attacks, they can occur without any apparent reason. Here's what distinguishes panic attacks:


1. Sudden Onset: Panic attacks can happen out of the blue, without any warning or clear cause.


2. Intensity: The fear experienced during a panic attack is often described as more intense than that of an anxiety attack. It can be so severe that it's debilitating.


3. Symptoms: In addition to the symptoms seen in anxiety attacks, panic attacks can also include dissociative symptoms like feeling detached from oneself, feeling like one is observing oneself from outside, or a sense of unreality. Some people may also experience hot flashes, chills, and palpitations.


4. Frequency: While an anxiety attack might occur in response to a specific event, panic attacks can happen randomly and repeatedly, even in the absence of any stressor.


5. Aftermath: Following a panic attack, individuals often have a heightened concern about when the next attack might occur, which can lead to a persistent fear and avoidance of situations where an attack has previously happened.

Key Differences:

- Provoked vs. Unprovoked: An anxiety attack is typically provoked by a specific stressor, whereas a panic attack is unprovoked and can occur without any identifiable trigger.
- Predictability: Anxiety attacks are more predictable and linked to certain situations, while panic attacks are unpredictable.
- Intensity and Duration: Panic attacks are often more intense and can leave a person feeling more helpless and terrified, though they are generally shorter in duration than anxiety attacks.
- Physical Sensations: Panic attacks may include additional physical symptoms not typically associated with anxiety attacks, such as hot flashes or chills.

It's important to note that both anxiety and panic attacks can be distressing and disruptive to a person's life. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it's crucial to seek help from a healthcare professional.

read more >>

An anxiety attack, people may feel fearful, apprehensive, may feel their heart racing or feel short of breath, but it's very short lived, and when the stressor goes away, so does the anxiety attack. Panic attack on the other hand doesn't come in reaction to a stressor. It's unprovoked and unpredictable.Apr 15, 2008read more >>