Anxiety Attack Vs. Panic Attack: A Mental Health Perspective

In everyday conversations with friends and family, people may use the terms “panic attack” and “anxiety attack” interchangeably — but is there any difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack? The answer depends on how you view and describe your anxiety symptoms. Regardless of how you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety or panic, it can put a serious damper on your daily routine.

While the experience and treatment of panic attacks vary widely across individuals, there are several commonalities, such as genetic risk factors and environmental stressors, that increase the likelihood of anxiety, panic attacks, and related conditions. 

Whether you’re discussing your anxiety with healthcare professionals, friends, or family, it’s important to have the proper language to report your symptoms and concerns. By understanding the differences between generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety attacks, and panic attacks, you’re more likely to receive a diagnosis and treatment plan that supports your mental health goals.

If you’re ready to start working toward those goals, read on to learn more about the differences between an anxiety attack and a panic attack, what these episodes indicate about your mental health, and how to manage the major symptoms of anxiety and panic disorder.

Anxiety attack vs. panic attack symptoms

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), a panic attack can also be described as an anxiety attack; but for diagnostic purposes, it helps to understand even small differences between the two terms as they relate to mental health. 

Anxiety attacks are generally associated with people who have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or a related anxiety disorder. “Anxiety attack” is not a medically recognized term in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), so most healthcare professionals use “panic attack” to describe the sudden onset of panic and anxiety symptoms.

That said, the concept of an anxiety attack is still valid: Healthcare professionals recognize that people often use this phrase to describe any intense experience of anxiety. Everyone experiences anxiety differently, so your experience of an anxiety attack will likely differ from that of a friend, family member, therapist, or doctor.

The takeaway? You can use these two terms separately, but it’s also OK to use them interchangeably. Panic attacks are most commonly associated with panic disorder, which falls under the umbrella of health conditions known as anxiety disorders.

Whether you’re struggling with panic attacks or generalized anxiety, there are ways to recover from these episodes and achieve your daily goals without the threat of panic. Knowledge is power — so read on to learn more about the major differences between anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and anxiety attacks, how you might experience the symptoms, and how to treat both conditions. If you are experiencing any of these, be sure to seek professional medical advice from a licensed practitioner.

Difference No. 1: Panic attacks are sudden and brief

For many people, one of the most frightening qualities of panic attacks is not knowing when or why they’ll begin. The surge of panic usually comes without warning or any obvious reason, per the APA. Unlike anxiety, most panic attacks last between five and 20 minutes, although some people report attacks that last up to an hour, according to the National Health Service (NHS).

As a condition, anxiety tends to last much longer. In anticipation of a bad outcome or a worrisome event, people with anxiety may experience muscle tension and a general uneasiness for an extended period of time. Whereas anxiety is “what we experience when we are worrying about some future event,” panic attacks are associated with an abrupt “sense of threat happening right now,” says Dr. Ricks Warren, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan.

Difference No. 2: Panic attacks are less common and more severe compared to anxiety attacks

In general, panic attacks are rarer and more severe than everyday feelings of anxiety. As a mental health condition, GAD and related anxiety disorders typically present with a broader set of anxiety symptoms, which tend to develop more gradually than panic attacks. Anxiety is also a fairly common mental health condition: In the U.S., an estimated 40 million adults experience significant anxiety each year, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. 

Difference No. 3: Our bodies react differently to anxiety and panic

While it’s usually difficult for individuals to pinpoint the exact cause of their panic attacks, some studies suggest that there are biological precursors to these episodes, which may not be noticeable without paying close attention to your body. For example, one 2012 study found that as early as 47 minutes before a panic attack, people experienced significant changes in their respiratory functions. In scientific terms, these out-of-the-blue panic attacks are “uncued” compared to cued panic attacks that occur in response to a specific situational trigger. Regardless of their origin, panic attacks trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response without an appropriate cause or threat. 

Compared to panic, anxiety is a lower-level persistent condition characterized by excessive worry over an imminent event or even smaller, lower-stakes events, such as being late or making a mistake at work. The common symptoms — fatigue, restlessness, and irritability — are often chronic and longer-lasting than panic but can still take a toll on your physical and mental health. 

Risk factors for an anxiety attack or panic attack

If you have any of these risk factors, you may be predisposed to develop panic disorder or another form of anxiety disorder. Keep in mind that while these are common contributors to anxiety, everyone’s story is different. By connecting with a doctor and therapist, you can develop a better understanding of the origins of your symptoms and how to treat them. 

Common risk factors for anxiety and panic attacks

Common risk factors for anxiety and panic attacks may include:

• Certain physical conditions, including thyroid problems, heart conditions, or dysfunction of the amygdala (which processes fear)
• Personality traits such as shyness or discomfort with unfamiliar people and other social situations
• Ongoing stress or traumatic events
• Family history of anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, or other mental health conditions
• History of substance use
  
  

Because panic disorder and other forms of anxiety have several risk factors, many doctors recommend similar approaches to treatment. Note that your treatment plan will be shaped by discussions with your doctor and your personal mental health goals, in addition to any relevant risk factors. 

Treatment for panic attacks and anxiety: Managing symptoms for better mental health

While anxiety and panic attacks are very different emotional conditions and differ in intensity, similar symptoms can sometimes appear, which means they can be managed with many of the same treatment methods.

Common symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks

If you’re seeking treatment for anxiety and/or panic attacks, you may have experienced some of the following symptoms:

• Heart palpitations or increased heart rate
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Chest pain
• Sweating
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trembling or shaking
• Shortness of breath
• Fear that you’re dying or losing control
  
  

These symptoms might surface during prolonged bouts of anxiety or in the form of panic attacks, which last only briefly. That said, both anxiety and panic attacks are frightening and unsettling experiences, but they’re completely valid responses to stressful life events, shaped by a mix of environmental and biological risk factors. When you seek professional treatment for your symptoms, your doctor or therapist can help you learn more about panic attacks and other anxiety disorders, which helps you regain control of your stress responses. 

Mental health therapy for anxiety and panic attacks

For many people with the symptoms described above, the following forms of therapy can be highly effective and long-lasting treatments:

• Exposure therapy: For people with anxiety disorders or specific phobias, exposure therapy challenges them to confront and ultimately overcome those fears through direct exposure. A licensed mental health professional may employ relaxation exercises, imagery, and other tools to guide you through the exposure. 
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Many studies indicate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches patients how to change negative thinking patterns — and, in turn, negative or unhelpful behaviors — by identifying and modifying their thoughts in a process known as cognitive restructuring. For panic attacks in particular, CBT may help people identify the triggers of their attacks so they can alter their thinking, behaviors, and reactions. 

Promisingly, studies indicate that online CBT is just as effective at reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression as in-person CBT. In a 2012 study, for instance, researchers found that individually tailored, Internet-based treatment led to significant improvements in anxiety symptoms in a group of young adults and adults with panic attacks. Importantly, the participants’ progress remained stable after completing the treatment, which indicates that online CBT can have lasting, positive effects on people of various ages.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, online therapy has become a popular option for people who want to improve their mental health but may lack the time or finances for traditional, in-person therapy. If you’re living with panic disorder, you may appreciate the ability to connect with an online therapist from a safe, comfortable space in your home, especially as you work through the major sources and symptoms of your panic attacks. With online therapy, you can be matched with a therapist who has experience treating anxiety, panic attacks, and stress-related disorders.

Medication for anxiety and panic attacks

Importantly, therapists cannot prescribe medication for any health conditions. However, your therapist may work in tandem with your doctor, who can recommend anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants depending on the severity of your symptoms. Again, be sure to consult with your doctor and medical team before incorporating any medication into your treatment plan, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re unfamiliar with any of their suggestions.