What's the Difference Between Anxiety vs Panic Attack?
There is not always a clear difference between anxiety vs panic attacks as they often go hand in hand. Panick attacks often signal an underlying anxiety disorder. If you suffer from panic attacks, you are not alone – it is thought at least 20% of American adults, roughly 60 million people, suffer from panic attacks during the course of their lifetimes. About 2% of adult Americans, roughly about 3 million individuals, will experience a full-blown panick disorder at some point in their lives. The rate for panic disorder in women is about twice as likely as in men. The most common age when panic attacks are first experienced is between the ages of 15 and 19 years of age. The main difference in panick attacks versus other types of anxiety is the suddenness of their onset and the intensity of the symptoms, often seeming to come out of nowhere with no specific focus. Childhood panic disorder affects approximately 0.7% of children with boys and girls tending to experience panic attacks at an equal rate.
Upon having a panic attack episode, the person may then develop irrational fears, called phobias, such as a fear of shopping in a crowded mall or riding in an elevator. A pattern of avoidance then can develop as the anxiety about another attack coming on begins to grow to the degree that the simple idea of engaging in certain anxiety provoking situations fills the individual with intense fear and anxiety. In the most severe cases, the individual can be virtually disabled, being unable to leave the house or drive, this condition being known as agoraphobia. Therefore, there are two types of panic disorder – panic disorder with agoraphobia, and panic disorder without agoraphobia.
The signs and symptoms of Panic Attacks
Trembling and shaking
Chest pains
Racing heart or palpitations
Upset stomach or nausea
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Breathing difficulties
Numbness and tingling in the hands
Hot flashes or possibly chills
Feeling in a dream-like state and distorted perceptions
A foreboding sense that something terrible or frightening is going to happen combined with a sense of powerlessness to stop it.
A sense of needing to escape
Fear of dying
Fear of losing control or being embarrassed or publicly humiliated.
The intensity and sudden onset of the anxiety is what truly sets apart the difference between anxiety vs panic attack. Generally, the length of time that a panic attack occurs varies greatly between individuals, though on average they can last for 10 minutes. When a panic attack happens, it is one of the most distressing feelings a person can have, with symptoms that closely mimic a heart attack. Many other emotional problems can include panic attacks as a symptom, such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Shizophrenia, and substance abuse and withdrawal from drugs. This is why it is crucial to have a correct diagnosis to differentiate between anxiety vs panic attack as the type and dosage of medication would be different for each condition.
There are also many medical conditions, such as anemia and thyroid problems, along with various medications that can produce feelings of intense anxiety. These medications include diabetes medications such as metformin and insulin, stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), antimalarial medications such as quinine, and withdrawal from corticosteroids. This is why it's very important to consult with a doctor when considering using medications as a treatment for panic disorder.
Are Panic Attacks Serious?
Yes, they are serious and a real and potentially disabling problem for many people. This is really the main differences between anxiety vs panic attack-- the disabling nature of panick attacks as they can limit a person's activities significantly. Thankfully, they can be successfully treated. Due to the similarity of signs and symptoms of panic attacks with other medical problems, such as heart attacks, they can be mistaken for another life-threatening medical illness. Up to 25% of people entering emergency rooms due to chest pain are actually having a panic attack. Often these people undergo exhaustive medical testing to rule out these other conditions, though more than 90% of these people are not correctly diagnosed as suffering from panic attacks.
Sometimes, loved ones and well-meaning medical personnel will try and provide reassurance to the panick attack victim that they are not in any major danger. But these well-intended reassurances can actually add to the person's woes when doctor's use terms like “It's nothing serious” or “It's all in your head”. This can give the panic attack sufferer a sense they have no real problem and they should be able to overcome their problem on their own without the need for any additional treatment or evaluation. They may not realize the full extent of difference between simple anxiety vs panic attack episodes.
These medications do not come with out risks and side-effects, however, and they need to be very closely monitored by your doctor. These side-effects can be mild for many people, though can be severe and even life-threatening to other individuals. The use of these medications is not recommended for pregnant women.
There are many alternative treatments that can be effective in reducing the occurrence of panic attacks without using prescribed medications. Kava Kava has been thoroughly studied in the treatment of anxiety and shown to be helpful for many people with mild to moderate panic disorder. Valerian root and Passionflower have also been used as herbal alternatives in treatments for anxiety and panic attacks.
My personal feeling is these herbal supplements are not always very good quality and not given in sufficient amounts to really be effective in treating anxiety, which is why I make my own herbal tinctures. Just keep in mind you should always consult with a naturopathic doctor qualified herbalist when using these types of herbal remedies for anxiety. Changes in lifestyle and diet can also help, such as participating in Yoga and medication or moderate exercise. Also avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and the use of illicit substances can help reduce anxiety symptoms and the chance for a panick attack to occur.
Psychotherapy for panic disorders have also been very effective in helping avoid the onset of panick attacks and reducing the symptoms of anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most commonly used form of psychotherapy for both adults and children. This type of therapy attempts to address and decrease the irrational thoughts and behaviors that reinforce panic attack symptoms. There are also a variety of behavior modification techniques used to decrease anxiety that include relaxation techniques, or gradually exposing the individual to situations that may create a sense of panick in the individual so they are desensitized to the anxiety causing situation.