A lot of people use the terms “anxiety attack” and “panic attack” interchangeably

Anxiety is a normal human emotion, such as stress before an exam or presentation. However, sometimes people experience intense worries or fears and feel intense feelings.

Often they do not know what they are having a panic attack or an anxiety attack.
* While both sound similar, biologically an anxiety attack and a panic attack are two different things.
* What’s the difference – Anxiety Attack or Panic Attack?

Anxiety attacks =
* is more emotional and cognitive, the person worries excessively over something, such as being late to an appointment, finances, bills, kids, health, but there is no general reason to worry.
* In this case, an anxiety attack gradually develops over time and starts to interfere with everyday life.
* Anxiety is associated with the prefrontal cortex, which has to do with planning and anticipating.
* Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, cannot concentrate, fast heart rate, muscle tension, and pain, etc

Panic attack =
* Is more physical symptoms, which is an intense attack that happens without warning
* They may occur in response to a stressful event. But often they happen for no clear reason.
* The body’s fight-or-flight response gets triggered and the body reacts because it believes its not safe
* Panic attacks are scary, but not dangerous and usually last just 15 or 20 minutes

Panic disorder occurs when a person has repeated panic attacks that reach a peak within minutes & includes at least 4 symptoms:
* Palpitations, pounding heart, Sweating, Trembling or shaking, sensations, Feelings of choking, Chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal distress, Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint, Chills or heat sensations, Numbness or tingling sensations, fear of losing control or “going crazy”, Fear of dying

Everything is not always as it seems. Please check in on the ones you love. 💙⁣

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Vikas Bajaj

Counseling Psychologist