The Difference between Panic Attacks and Anxiety Attacks
Many people mistakenly interchange the terms panic attack and anxiety attack. However, these two terms are very individual and each has its own definitions in the psychiatric world. It is important to know whether you are experiencing a panic attack or anxiety attack as the treatment is different for both. There is nothing worse than getting the wrong kind of treatment and not getting any relief from your attacks.

Panic Attacks


Panic attacks come on suddenly and without warning. There is no known reason for them. They are completely related to body and mind. People that are suffering from panic attacks often have a sudden feeling that they are having a heart attack. They feel like they are going to die. Panic attacks last from three minutes to half an hour.

The clearest indication of a panic attack is the fact that when you are suffering from a panic attack you are worrying about your mind and body only. There is nothing else in your life that is worrying you. Most people that suffer from panic attacks have been to the emergency room at least once in their life to make sure that they did not have a physical problem or were not dying.

Anxiety Attacks


Anxiety attacks occur when something bad or unpleasant happens in a person’s life or when they think about something bad happening and get extremely anxious. For some people, this anxious feeling gets so bad that they experience physical symptoms associated with it. They may start to shake, have problems with shortness of breath, or even have a rapid, pounding heartbeat. An anxiety attack can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days.

The identifying characteristic of an anxiety attack is that the person that is suffering is worried about something that is going on in their life. This could be anything such as work, school, relationships, money, etc. This constant state of excessive worrying leads to an overwhelming anxious feeling that starts to run their life.

Panic and Anxiety Attack Treatment Options


It is very important to know whether you are having panic attacks or anxiety attacks in order to be properly treated. People that have panic attacks should only be treated with low dose antidepressant medications as these medications can increase panic attacks at higher doses.

Anxiety attacks are normally treated with normal doses of antidepressants being started. Antidepressants are the most common treatment options for anxiety attacks. They have proven to be effective at controlling the attacks. For panic attacks, therapy or counseling has been found to be most effective. This is due to the fact that the person suffering can learn different relaxation and coping techniques to help them get through the attacks and learn to relax their body.
 
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