Difference Between Anxiety Attacks and Panic Attacks

Anxiety attack vs. Panic attack

Have you had that feeling when the world seems to be closing in on you? When you feel like it’s getting harder and harder to breathe and then you feel like there’s a wild flight of butterflies inside your stomach and your mind starts to shut down? Have you had any of those episodes in your life? If you have, then you probably already know what must have caused it, but if you don’t, then here is some information that can help you.

Panic attack and anxiety attack. Do you know what these are? These are mental conditions that affect a person’s general actions. It’s not fatal, per se, but only becomes so when an attack happens and there is a lack of control. But fatal cases from these attacks are relatively uncommon and unlikely to occur.

Panic and anxiety attacks are not rare because they are not diseases. In fact, it’s normal, but if these kinds of attacks happen more often than not, then it has to be treated. These kinds of mental conditions occur more when it is not prevented or if a person suffering from it does not know how to counter it, that is when it becomes a disorder. Whether or not you have experienced these attacks, it is important that you educate yourself about its symptoms, what it is, and how to cure it.

Anxiety attack, to begin with, is defined as fear, tension, and worry that are considered normal in order for a person to cope with stress. In short, it is a required reaction. You would want to experience it because it’s a fact that your body needs it. It’s an alarm that sets off every time you encounter extreme situations. It sets off your adrenaline rush, your fast thinking, and your motivation to solve problems, and your reaction in extreme ways. But, when anxiety attacks become more of a problem than a help, it must mean you have finally crossed the ‘normal’ line.

Major symptoms of this attack involve constant dread about something that’s about to happen, restlessness, irritability, constantly anticipating the worst and general paranoia. Physical symptoms may include sweating, upset stomach, insomnia, fatigue, muscle tension, and others. There are six types of anxiety disorders: obsessive-compulsive, generalized anxiety disorder, phobia, post traumatic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

Panic attack is a strong emotional and mental condition defined as a swift rush of intense fear that usually leads to, among other things, hyperventilation or difficulty breathing, raging heartbeat, chest pain, muscle tension, sweating, nausea and blurred vision. It is among the list of anxiety attacks.

They may be random but there are reasons why these kinds of episodes occur. Take for example hereditary causes. Your great aunt may have had plenty of panic attacks during her time and you were the unfortunate one to have inherited it. Although a lot of people suffer panic attacks even without genetically inheriting it, women are generally more susceptible to these attacks than men.

Another factor would be a person’s phobia. Constant exposure to things or situations that scare you the most would definitely cause you great levels of stress. Another one would be what experts call short-term-triggering-causes such as a break-up with your partner, a sudden death of someone you love, or generally significant personal losses. Other factors would include alcoholism, medication, drug withdrawal, lack of assertiveness, hyperventilation syndrome, etc… Panic attacks are easily treated though, a patient can take medication, undergo psychological therapy or simply breathe into a paper bag.

SUMMARY:

1. Panic attack is one of the six types of anxiety attack.

2.Anxiety and panic attack are normal episodes that a person encounters in order to cope with stress.

3.Both anxiety and panic attacks are curable.

Sharing is caring!