What's the difference in anxiety attacks and panic attacks?

Answer 1

Most people say it is the "severity" that defines the difference.

As someone who gets panic attacks, I also experience a lot of anxiety. I define the difference between the anxiety and panic by using a 1 to 10 scale.

1 through 3 is me trying to avoid getting to an anxiety or panic attack - I'm aware that my anxiety is starting to climb.

At about a 4, I have an "anxiety attack" ... my thoughts are racing, I'm pacing... I'm out of sorts...

At 6 or a 7, then I hit a full blown panic attack. - classic symptoms, heart pounding, sweating, thinking in circles, feeling like I'm dying, want to get out of the situation.

The biggest difference between the two - an anxiety attack means I can usually re-route it or deflate it... get it to de-escalate (if I'm quick enough to catch it!). If I hit panic attack - it's too late - I have to ride out the wave, and deal with it after the fact.

The difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack will be different for each individual, but I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Hi,
I'll try to explain the difference to you the best of my understanding and ability. Anxiety is a painful or uneasiness of the mind over a "what if" impending or anticipated illness. You create a huge problem in your mind about all of the possible things that can/could happen to you~ of course, with anxiety disorder, these what if's are usually scary thoughts and outcomes.
The panic attack is the result of all of your negative thinking and all of your "what if's" you have piled high. This is when you now start to hyperventilate, your heart will beat so fast you will feel you are having a heart attack, you will start to have tingling in your hands, ets. you'll start to sweat and you will feel like you will have to get away from your body.
Overview: anxiety are the feelings and panic is the symptoms your body will go through.
Remember it is a vicious cycle. You have to find a leak and jump out of this cycle.
I hope I have answered your question alittle. Take care

Answer 3

They are generally the same. Panic attacks are also referred to as a Panic Disorder, which is grouped under Anxiety Disorders. Panic/anxiety attacks can be triggered by other Anxiety Disorders such as specific phobias or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I hope this information helps.

Answer 4

They're the same thing, although "panic attack" is the more clinical term out of the 2.

Answer 5

There is no difference. People that suffer from them have what is called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This can occur when someone has witnessed something tragic in their lives or who lived a very rough childhood. It is just our bodies ways of saying it cannot take anymore so it begins to defend itself.

Answer 6

GreenEyes hit the nail on the head with their answer. Those were the exact symptoms I faced and that's how I knew the difference between the two.

Answer 7

nothing