There is a difference between Panic attacks vs Anxiety attacks

[1Peter5:7]

I started going to a new therapist (who is great by the way) and he told me that there was a difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks. I had suffered from this for about 10 years, so I knew a lot of information about this type of disorder. I had no idea that there was a difference.

It is important for your doctor to diagnose the correct one because there are different treatment methods. You can try googling "difference between anxiety and panic attacks".




-1 hour without an anxiety attack :)

[arijones1]

Hi so what is the difference? i know theres limited symptom attacks and full panic attacks, in which 4 or more sensations are present, Not one psych book that i have speaks of differences between the 2

[arijones1]

perhaps what your doctor means is differences between GAD, in which the worry is about life things, and panic, in which the worry is about the actual sensations and future panic attacks. 30 % of the population will have a panic attacks, usually preceded by major life events and a build up of anxiety, only 2-3% however develop panic disorder, in which you are actually worried about the sensations.
I dont believe there is any difference between panic/anxiety attacks.
any input from others?

[Teal]

I feel like panic attacks could be reactionary to an event, whereas anxiety attacks are caused by GAD. But I totally dont know and Im not a doctor.

[Zaelaura]

a panic attack is an actual 'attack'.... they are sudden (with or without a trigger), they include sensations or fears of dying/choking/pain, etc. they can be stand-alone attacks, or you could suffer from a panic disorder.

an anxiety attack isn't so much of an attack as it is a snowball.... anxiety attacks occur when your anxiety has been gradually/steadily building up and you finally have a breakdown.... anxiety attacks are generally more fits of anger/fear/sadness and emotional breakdown with physical symptoms resulting from holding your breath, high blood pressure, racing heart rate, etc. you can have an anxiety disorder or experience stand-alone 'episodes' of anxiety triggered by an event or illness (episodes are more casually referred to as stress).

a lot of people who are diagnosed with GAD have an anxiety disorder AND experience panic attacks.... some of us (like me) only ever experience anxiety snowballs. if you have panic attacks regularly but you don't worry about anything other than panic attacks, you have a panic disorder - not GAD.

[Perfectly_Imperfect]

there is a HUGE difference between panic and anxiety attacks although many people experience both together.

Feburary is right in describing the difference, and most therapists should def. know this and have proper training in both types of attacks.

both types of attacks are treated different, same approach but different outcomes.