Are you suffering from Anxiety or having a Panic Attack?

The terms Anxiety attack and Panic Attack are often used interchangeably but there is a marked difference. In this article, you will get an idea of how Anxiety differs from a Panic attack. Panic attacks are sudden and involve overwhelming and excessive fear. It is of two types, one is an unexpected Panic attack and another is expected Panic attack. As the name suggests, an unexpected panic attack is without any cause and Expected Panic attack is caused by stressors like in case of Phobias. However, Anxiety includes worry, distress, and Fear which is usually in anticipation of a stressful event, situation or experience. Anxiety is often gradual.

Let us see the difference in Detail

Panic Attack:

Panic Attack is sudden and reaches it’s peak within 10-15 minutes and then starts to subside gradually, and they come continuously one after another in waves. In such cases, it is difficult to recognize when the last one ended and the new one started. You feel extremely stressed,keyed-up, out of wits and worried after the panic attack.

Some common symptoms of a Panic attack include:

• Racing heart-beat or Palpitations
• Increased sweating
• Shaking and trembling
• Smothering or shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Choked feeling
• Discomfort or Pain in the chest
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Feelings of detachment from oneself and also feeling unreal
• Fear of loss of control, or of dying
• Numbing or tingling sensation
• Hot flashes or chills in the body

Anxiety  “ATTACK”

Anxiety has a high correlation to worry about a situation or event that is dangerous.Although, this danger could be perceived or real; Because, When you anticipate something and it builds up, it causes a lot of stress and the thoughts become overwhelming and unmanageable. In addition, these feelings make you perceive it as an anxiety attack.

Some common symptoms of Anxiety “ATTACK” include:

• Tensed Muscles
• Sleep disturbance that persists over a period of time
• Inability to concentrate
• Tiredness and Fatigue
• Feeling restless
• Irritable
• Increase in Startled responses
• Racing heart
• Experiencing shortness of breath
• Feeling dizzy

Although Panic and Anxiety “ATTACKS” may appear similar, but Anxiety “Attacks” are generally much less in intensity. However, Anxiety more often than not may last for days,weeks or months whereas a Panic Attack is of a very short duration.

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