“Anxiety attack” and “panic attack” are two terms that are frequently used in discussions about mental health. While they are often used interchangeably, they are different conditions with unique characteristics, causes, and treatment approaches.
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What Is an Anxiety Attack?
An anxiety attack is a period of worry or fear, often associated with ongoing stressors. Unlike panic attacks, which tend to arise suddenly, anxiety attacks usually build up gradually. Anxiety itself is a natural response to stress or perceived danger. However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming, it can escalate into an anxiety attack, affecting both mental and physical health.
Mental health professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) to diagnose mental health conditions. DSM-5 does not recognize anxiety attack as a separate diagnosis. Instead, it lists anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.
Signs of an Anxiety Attack
Anxiety can build up gradually or come on suddenly. When it comes on suddenly or is intense, people often call it an anxiety attack. Anxiety attacks are associated with worry or fear about stressful situations or anticipation of distressing events. Common signs and symptoms of anxiety attacks include:
- Excessive worry about a specific event or generalized concerns
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Difficulty concentrating or racing thoughts
- Physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, chest pain, shortness of breath, and muscle tension
- Digestive issues like nausea or upset stomach
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia
Anxiety Attack Treatment
There are effective treatments available to help manage anxiety attacks and improve mental health and overall quality of life. These include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – CBT is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy for anxiety. It helps you identify and reframe negative thought patterns, reducing the frequency and intensity of anxiety attacks.
- Relaxation techniques – Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation can calm the mind and body.
- Lifestyle changes – Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep contribute to good mental health.
- Medications – Mental healthcare providers may prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to manage severe anxiety attacks. Antidepressants can be taken long-term. Anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines are habit-forming and are used for short-term treatment of severe anxiety.
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden, intense surge of fear that peaks within minutes. Unlike anxiety attacks, panic attacks are more abrupt and can occur unprovoked. Panic attacks are a hallmark symptom of panic disorder, a mental health condition characterized by recurring episodes of intense fear.
Signs of a Panic Attack
- Panic attacks can cause both emotional and physical symptoms, including:
- Fast heart rate (racing heart or palpitations)
- Shortness of breath or feeling like you’re suffocating
- Chest pain, which can sometimes be mistaken for a heart attack
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Sweating or chills
- Cold, clammy skin
- A sense of detachment from reality
- A fear of losing control
Panic attack episodes are typically brief but can have a lasting impact on mental health and quality of life. For example, panic attacks can lead to avoidance behaviors or phobias, where you start avoiding people, places, or things that have triggered panic attacks in the past.
Panic Attack Treatment Options
Mental health professionals manage panic attacks with a combination of therapeutic and medical interventions:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy – CBT is also effective in addressing panic disorders. It helps you identify triggers and develop coping strategies.
- Exposure therapy – For people with specific phobias, gradual exposure to feared situations can reduce panic responses.
- Medications – Mental health professionals may prescribe antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or benzodiazepines for long-term or short-term management of a panic disorder.
- Relaxation techniques – Controlled breathing and grounding exercises can help manage symptoms during a panic attack.
Key Differences Between Panic and Anxiety Attacks
| Anxiety Attack | Panic Attack | |
| Onset | Gradual, builds over time | Sudden, occurs abruptly |
| Duration | Can last for hours, days, or longer | Typically peaks within 10 minutes and can last up to 30 minutes |
| Triggers | Often linked to ongoing stressors or worries | Can occur without an identifiable trigger |
| Symptoms | Predominantly emotional symptoms (worry, fear) | Both emotional and physical symptoms (intense fear, chest discomfort, fast heart rate) |
| Frequency | Associated with ongoing mental health conditions (anxiety disorders) | Can occur spontaneously or as part of panic disorder |
Symptoms of Panic Attacks vs. Anxiety Attacks
While both panic attacks and anxiety attacks share some symptoms, they can differ in presentation.
Symptoms of an Anxiety Attack
- Persistent worry, distress, or fear
- Restlessness
- Muscle tension
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
Symptoms of Panic Attack
- Intense fear
- Palpitations
- Chest pain or tightness
- Dizziness or fainting
- Feeling like you’re going to die
Causes and Triggers of Panic Attacks vs. Anxiety Attacks
Both panic attacks and anxiety attacks are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Specific triggers for anxiety attack vs. panic attack include:
Anxiety Attack Triggers
- Chronic stress (e.g., work, relationships, finances)
- Health concerns
- Phobias (e.g., fear of heights or flying)
Panic Attack Triggers
- Genetic predisposition
- History of trauma or abuse
- Specific phobias or feared situations
- Biological factors like an overactive amygdala (the brain’s fear processing center)
When Should I See a Healthcare Provider?
Make an appointment with a mental health professional if:
- Anxiety or panic attacks are interfering with daily life.
- You experience physical symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath that can mimic serious medical conditions.
- You avoid people, places, or situations for fear of triggering an anxiety attack or panic attack.
- Your symptoms have persisted despite self-care efforts.
A mental health professional can make a diagnosis of panic attack vs. anxiety attack based on your symptoms, mental health history, and the criteria outlined in the DSM-5. They can recommend appropriate treatment for relief from anxiety attacks or panic attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do the symptoms of a panic attack differ from an anxiety attack?
Panic attacks are more intense, with sudden onset of intense fear and physical symptoms like chest pain and rapid heart rate. Anxiety attacks build up gradually with increasing worry and stress and milder physical symptoms.
How can I tell if I’m having a panic attack or an anxiety attack?
A panic attack is abrupt and overwhelming with physical symptoms, whereas an anxiety attack develops gradually and is tied to ongoing stressors or worry.
Can anxiety or panic attacks cause chest pain?
Yes, both panic attacks and anxiety attacks can cause chest pain, but panic attacks are more likely to cause chest tightness or discomfort, which can mimic heart attack symptoms.
How do panic attacks affect breathing compared to anxiety attacks?
Panic attacks can cause hyperventilation (from rapid, shallow breathing) or a feeling of suffocation (like you can’t breathe or are about to die). Anxiety attacks can cause shallow but controlled breathing.
Is it common to feel like you’re dying during a panic attack?
Yes, many people experiencing a panic attack feel like they’re dying or have an intense fear of losing control.
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+18442884672 What is the difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack?
The main difference between panic and anxiety attacks is that panic attacks are sudden, intense episodes of fear with physical symptoms whereas anxiety attacks build up gradually and are centered on ongoing worries or fears.
Can anxiety attacks lead to panic attacks?
Yes, people with anxiety disorders are at a higher risk of experiencing panic attacks.
How long do anxiety attacks usually last?
Anxiety attacks can last for hours to days or even longer if the stressor remains.
How long do panic attacks usually last?
Panic attacks usually peak in 10 minutes and subside within 30 minutes.
Is it possible to experience both anxiety and panic attacks at the same time?
Yes, it’s possible to experience both anxiety and panic attacks at the same time. For example, someone with an anxiety disorder may develop panic attacks that can occur on top of the underlying anxiety disorder.
Are anxiety attacks more common than panic attacks?
Yes, anxiety attacks are generally more common than panic attacks because they are tied to everyday stressors.
Can you have a panic attack without feeling anxious beforehand?
Yes, panic attacks can occur without feeling anxious beforehand. They can occur completely unprovoked in some instances.
What physical symptoms are common in anxiety attacks?
Physical symptoms of anxiety attacks can include muscle tension, fatigue, sweating, and increased heart rate.
What physical symptoms are common in panic attacks?
Physical symptoms of anxiety attacks can include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a racing heart.
How can I manage anxiety attacks at home?
Use relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, tai-chi, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation to manage anxiety attacks at home. Also, spend time with loved ones, get regular exercise and adequate sleep, and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
What are effective treatments for panic attacks?
Effective treatments for panic attacks include psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, and medications, such as antidepressants.
Do anxiety attacks always build up gradually?
Anxiety attacks often build up gradually over time due to ongoing stressors or fears, but they can develop suddenly at times.
Can panic attacks come on suddenly without warning?
Yes, panic attacks often occur abruptly and without any identifiable trigger.
Is an anxiety attack less severe than a panic attack?
Generally, yes, anxiety attacks are less intense than panic attacks.
What role does the fight-or-flight response play in anxiety and panic attacks?
Both anxiety attacks and panic attacks activate the body’s fight-or-flight response in the absence of any real danger. This causes physical symptoms like rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and sweating.
Get the Help You Need Now
The symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks can be difficult to tell apart. Seeking mental health care can ensure you get the proper diagnosis and treatment. Both conditions are treatable with psychotherapy, medications, and lifestyle changes.
If you or someone you love is struggling with anxiety or panic attacks, find out if Discover Recovery can provide the support needed today. We offer treatment options like cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication management for mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, panic disorder, and panic attacks. Take control of your mental health and well-being—make the call now.
