difference between anxiety and panic attack

Panic attacks and anxiety have many overlapping symptoms. To make matters more complicated, some people can have anxiety that also presents with panic attacks as symptoms or panic attacks as their primary concern. This article will clarify how each affects individuals differently and answer questions like “Can I get disability for anxiety and panic attacks​” or “Can you die from anxiety and panic attacks​?”

Understanding these differences, especially for those struggling with mental health challenges or experiencing these episodes, is imperative for getting the right treatment.

What Are Anxiety and Panic Attacks?

difference between anxiety and panic attack

When comparing panic attacks vs. anxiety attacks, it’s important to understand that both can exist with the same condition, but they are not mutually exclusive, so you can struggle with one instead of the other.

Anxiety is a normal feeling that comes from high levels of stress or otherwise dangerous circumstances. During these moments, you might feel like you are overwhelmed, with symptoms like:

  • Rapid heat rates
  • Sweating
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Shaking
  • Numbness
  • Intense fear

Under normal circumstances, anxiety can be helpful, such as the potential anxiety you feel about losing your job, which helps you get up in the morning and go to work on time, or the anxiety you feel during rush hour when you are concerned about hitting other drivers, which helps you stay more focused.

However, while anxiety can be a normal reaction to stress, it becomes problematic when it leads to chronic feelings of fear and worry. These chronic symptoms can result in:

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Fatigue
  • Restlessness
  • Irritability

Panic attacks, by comparison, are intense feelings that occur suddenly and without warning, including symptoms like:

  • Heart palpitations
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Overwhelming fear of losing control or dying

The intensity of panic attacks is juxtaposed with the sustained nature of anxiety and anxiety attacks. This is the biggest difference between the two. However, there are a few other key differences.

The Key Differences Between Anxiety and Panic Attacks

The difference between anxiety and panic attack symptoms has to do with several factors:

#1. Duration and Onset:

In general, anxiety disorders present with persistent, long-term symptoms. Anxiety is just that, a mental health disorder that affects you on a regular basis, long term.

By comparison, panic attacks are things that happen suddenly and are typically short-lived, usually lasting between 10 and 30 minutes.

#2. Physical vs. Psychological Symptoms:

There is a big difference between anxiety and panic attacks, particularly with the physical versus psychological symptoms.

With a panic attack, the body responds in a fight-or-flight mode because of perceived and immediate danger. This means the symptoms are mainly physical, like shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat, as well as feelings of being choked or suffocated. The focus is an immediate fear of present danger.

With anxiety or anxiety attacks, the focus is more on excessive worry about specific issues and things in the future, things that are outside of direct control. Untreated anxiety can lead to panic attacks but is generally focused on future concerns triggered by a known factor.

For example:

  • Anxiety may include ongoing stress and tension, with a mental focus on future worries.
  • Panic attacks focus on acute physical sensations like rapid heartbeat, sweating, and fear of dying.

In most cases, the symptoms associated with panic attacks are more physical, whereas the symptoms associated with anxiety are more psychological because they are centered on concerns or worry about the future.

#3. Triggering Factors:

Another key difference between anxiety and panic attacks is that anxiety is often triggered by
by specific stressors or life events, whereas panic attacks can occur unexpectedly without a clear cause.

This can make it difficult to figure out when a panic attack is going to strike.

Someone who has an anxiety disorder can also present with panic attacks, things that happen unexpectedly, while the anxiety might happen regularly.

Note: There is such a thing as panic attacks vs anxiety attacks, but in this case, the latter may be less intense but more persistent.

In these cases, the anxiety attacks are triggered by a specific stressor, a known issue, whereas the panic attacks are still triggered without warning or known causes. In terms of duration, panic attacks will peak within a matter of minutes and are significantly more intense, but anxiety attacks can vary in their intensity and last much longer.

#4. Can Anxiety and Panic Attacks Occur Together?

Yes, there is a possibility of experiencing both anxiety and panic attacks simultaneously or in conjunction, often complicating diagnosis and treatment. That said, it is important to seek help if you experience any symptoms that might be anxiety or panic attacks.

Special Considerations for Specific Populations

difference between anxiety and panic attack

Anxiety and Panic Attacks While Pregnant

Anxiety and panic attacks while pregnant happen to a significant portion of the pregnant population. The change in hormones can lead to issues with high anxiety, especially if you have a pre-existing anxiety disorder.

Seeking Disability for Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Can I get disability for anxiety and panic attacks? In some cases, you can if it is a mental health disorder that is properly diagnosed, especially if it is something related to your job and specifically caused by your job.

Can You Die from Anxiety and Panic Attacks?

While it might feel like you are going to die, panic attacks and anxiety attacks will not directly cause death. Nonetheless, symptoms can vary and be significantly disruptive if they are not properly treated.

Summing Up

Overall, there are key differences between panic attacks vs. anxiety attacks, namely the duration, onset, symptoms, and triggering factors. As such, it is important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of both. If you experience either condition, don’t be afraid to get help. There are many treatment options available, no matter the difference between anxiety and panic attack symptoms, such as therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.