Panic attacks and anxiety are both forms of fear but differ in several ways. They both have an impact on behavior, like anxiety, leading to excessive worry, difficulty concentrating on daily tasks, and avoidance behaviors. Whereas panic attacks trigger intense fear of having another attack, this leads to avoidance of specific places or situations where they might occur.
The main difference between anxiety and panic attacks is that anxiety happens due to the triggering of certain stress, and then it builds up gradually. But panic attacks occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Also, anxiety causes both physical and psychological symptoms and worsens mental and physical health conditions, whereas panic attacks trigger intense physical and psychological symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and fear of losing control.
Features | Anxiety | Panic Attacks |
---|---|---|
Definition | Anxiety is a natural human emotion, which is the feeling of unease, worry, nervousness, or fear about things that might happen in the future. | A panic attack is all sudden feeling of intense fear or anxiety that gives people the feeling of dying or losing control. |
Duration | Can be persistent and long-lasting. | Typically short-lived, peaking within minutes. |
Symptoms | Worry, nervousness, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, etc. | Worry, nervousness, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, etc. |
Trigger | Often triggered by specific thoughts or situations. | Occur unexpectedly without a clear trigger. |
Impact | Interfere with daily life and routines. | Take the lead in avoiding situations and being afraid of future attacks. |
Intensity | Mild to severe, but usually manageable. | Intense and overwhelming, often causing a sense of loss of control or dying. |
Onset | Gradually, building up over time | Sudden and abrupt. |
It's important to understand the anxiety symptoms vs panic attack symptoms to manage each condition effectively. So let's see their symptoms one by one.
Anxiety Symptoms: Hyperventilation, having an increased heart rate, panic or doom, having a sense of impending danger, sweating, trembling, feeling weak or tired, present worry, trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than having trouble sleeping, having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety, and others.
Panic Attack Symptoms: Sweating, shortness of breath or a choking sensation, nausea or abdominal distress, chest pain or discomfort, trembling or shaking, dizziness or lightheadedness, a fast heartbeat, a fear of losing control or going crazy, and a sense of unreality or disassociation from oneself and others are all signs of death.
Every disease and pain is now curable, whether from natural methods, therapy, or medications. Similarly, there is therapy for anxiety and panic disorders, so people suffering from both can prefer going under therapy with the doctor's guidance. The therapy can also save you from long term anxiety effects. Below, we have mentioned the therapies in detail that can help get rid of panic disorder and anxiety.
● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This CBT therapy helps individuals identify and change behaviors that contribute to panic and anxiety.
● Panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (PFPP): It utilizes relaxation techniques and psychoanalysis, which helps to prevent anxiety and panic attacks.
● Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This therapy emphasizes distress tolerance, mindfulness, and other skills to manage emotions and behaviors.
● Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): This therapy is all about examining the conflicts and interpersonal relationships that can lead to anxiety.
● Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): This therapy helps to focus on embracing challenging ideas and emotions instead of attempting to control them and making a commitment to morally sound behavior.
Medicines with therapies under the consultancy of the healthcare provider can help patients to get cured of anxiety or panic disorder. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened mental health around the world, and from the early studies, it has been observed that from the year 2020, there has been an increase in anxiety, depression, and panic disorder.
By looking at the situation, the FDA has approved medications for panic disorder, which are currently available in the United States. The best medication for panic attacks is benzodiazepines like Clonazepam, which help patients get cured of anxiety and panic attacks. But it must be noted that these medicines must be consumed under the guidance of a doctor and must be bought with a valid prescription.
A drug called clonazepam is a member of the benzodiazepine pharmacological class. Talking about clonazepam uses and side effects, it is used for the treatment of anxiety, panic attacks, seizures (epilepsy), and nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Moreover, Clonazepam for anxiety and panic attacks is commonly used as a short-term treatment option under medical supervision. Also, doctors may prescribe Clonazepam for seizures to help control abnormal brain activity and prevent episodes.
In this article, we have covered all the information that may help individuals to know about anxiety and panic disorder and their differences. If you find yourself facing anxiety or a panic attack, immediately consult your healthcare provider and share your feelings, thoughts, and ideas with your loved ones. This can help you get rid of anxiety and panic attacks.