Many people use the terms anxiety attack and panic attack to mean the same thing.  In most cases, the use of these terms as interchangeable is okay, but there is in fact a difference between panic attacks and anxiety.

From a clinical perspective, both panic and anxiety are defined by different features.  The term anxiety attack is not actually a phrase used among professionals.  In actuality, a panic attack is just a symptom associated with panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder.  An anxiety disorder is any mental disorder characterized by a significant amount of anxiety.  Panic disorder, then is a type of anxiety disorder that often causes panic attacks.  Anxiety attacks, then, should refer only to the common symptoms of anxiety in an individual.

In addition to panic disorder, anxiety disorders include phobias, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.  Phobias are the most common form of anxiety disorder in Americans, and can often trigger a panic attack or symptoms of anxiety.

The biggest differences between panic attacks and anxiety symptoms are the severity and length of symptoms associated with both.  The rest of this article will break down both panic attacks and anxiety:

Panic Attack

Symptoms during a panic attack are usually very sudden and intense.  They also do not last for a very long time, and usually end within 10-20 minutes.  Common symptoms of panic attacks include:

- heart palpitations, increased heart rate, trouble breathing, or choking

- chest pain/discomfort

- sweating, trembling, or shaking

- dizziness, feelings of unreality and detachment

- fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying

- numbness, chills, or hot flushes

Anxiety

Conversely, symptoms of anxiety take a while to develop, and may be worse depending on how much the individual is worried.  While some symptoms are very similar to panic attacks, they are considerable less intense.  These symptoms may last days, weeks, or even months, as they are associated not necessarily with a specific situation or entity, but from a variety of sources.  Some symptoms include:

- Muscle tension

- Increased heart rate, startle response, and shortness of breath

- Restlessness, fatigue, and insomnia

- Difficulty concentrating, feeling distracted

- Personality changes such as increased irritability, anger, and detachment

An anxiety disorder such as panic disorder can usually be treated through therapy, medication, or relaxation techniques.  Using these treatments can reduce the negative symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder.  As an anxiety disorder is chronic and debilitating, it is important to seek treatment for them as soon as possible.  It just may be the difference between living the life with anxiety and living your life the way that you want to.