Panic attacks and anxiety attacks are two distinct types of psychological distress, although they share some similarities.
Anxiety attacks are generally characterized by a feeling of excessive worry, fear, or nervousness that can be triggered by a variety of situations or events. The symptoms of an anxiety attack can vary, but they may include rapid heart rate, sweating, shaking, difficulty breathing, and a sense of impending doom.
On the other hand, panic attacks are sudden, intense surges of overwhelming fear or panic that come without warning and can last for a few minutes to an hour. During a panic attack, a person may experience symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, sweating, trembling, and a feeling of being detached from reality.
While both anxiety and panic attacks involve intense feelings of fear and discomfort, the key difference between them is that anxiety attacks tend to build up gradually and can be triggered by specific stressors, while panic attacks occur suddenly and unpredictably. Additionally, panic attacks are often accompanied by physical symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath, while anxiety attacks tend to be more focused on mental and emotional symptoms such as worry and dread.
