What is the Difference Between Anxiety and Panic Attacks?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between anxiety and panic attacks lies in their intensity, duration, and whether or not there is a trigger. Here are the key differences between the two:
- Trigger: Anxiety attacks typically occur in response to a perceived stressor or threat, while panic attacks can occur unexpectedly and without any clear trigger.
- Intensity: Panic attacks are generally more severe and intense than anxiety attacks, often involving sudden and disruptive symptoms. Anxiety attacks may be mild, moderate, or severe and can be present in the background of day-to-day activities.
- Duration: Panic attacks tend to be short-lived, usually lasting for a few minutes, while anxiety symptoms may persist for longer periods.
- Physical Symptoms: Both panic and anxiety attacks can cause a rapid heart rate, shallow breathing, and a sense of distress. However, the physical symptoms during a panic attack are often more intense, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, and numbness.
Both panic and anxiety attacks can be associated with mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma, and panic disorder. It is essential to recognize the differences between these attacks to provide appropriate support and treatment for individuals experiencing them.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Anxiety and Panic Attacks? Comparative Table: Anxiety vs Panic Attacks
Comparative Table: Anxiety vs Panic Attacks
Here is a table highlighting the differences between anxiety and panic attacks:
| Feature | Anxiety Attack | Panic Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Symptoms | Apprehension, worry, feelings of fear, increased heart rate, heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties, tightness in the throat, sweating, hot flushes and/or chills, dry mouth, shaking or trembling, tingling or numbness, nausea, stomach ache, and dizziness | Abrupt onset, feeling as though dying, going crazy, or losing control, sense of detachment from the body (depersonalization) |
| Onset | Gradual | Sudden, sometimes with no clear warning or triggers |
| Duration | Longer, extended periods of anxiety | Shorter, typically lasting a few minutes |
| Intensity | Symptoms like rapid breathing (hyperventilation) and heart palpitations are less intense | Symptoms like rapid breathing and heart palpitations are much more intense |
| Triggers | Anxiety attacks can be triggered by a specific event or situation, but the term "anxiety attack" is often used to describe intense or extended periods of anxiety | Panic attacks can be triggered by a specific event or situation, but they can also occur suddenly without any clear trigger |
| Treatment | Cognitive-behavioral therapy and other evidence-based treatments can help individuals overcome anxiety and panic attacks, develop an understanding of their symptoms, and support recovery |
Read more:
- Heart Attack vs Anxiety Attack
- Heart Attack vs Anxiety Attack
- Anxiety vs Fear
- Stress vs Anxiety
- Anxiety vs Phobia
- Anxiety vs Depression
- Worry vs Anxiety
- Shyness vs Social Anxiety
- Fear vs Phobia
- Angina vs Heart Attack
- Acute Stress Disorder vs Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Pancreatitis vs Gallbladder Attack
- Fear vs Scared
- Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack
- Stress vs Depression
- PTSD vs Depression
- Stress vs Distress
- Heart attack vs Stroke
- Anxious vs Eager