Panic Attacks vs Anxiety Attacks: What's the Difference?

You're overwhelmed Your heart is racing. You can't seem to calm down. Is it a panic attack? Is it anxiety? What's the difference and does the difference matter?

Panic Attack Diagnosis Criteria
An abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and during which time four or more of the following symptoms occur.
Palpitations, pounding heart, or rapid heart rate
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
Feeling of choking
Chest pain or discomfort
Nausea or abdominal distress
Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
Fear of losing control or “going crazy”
Fear of dying
Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensation)
Chills or heat sensations

Panic attacks are a sudden, intense onset of fear or dread accompanied by a host of physical symptoms such as shaking, shortness of breath, racing heart, feeling flushed, sweating, nausea, chest discomfort, feeling dizzy, etc. It comes on quick and fast and often times seemingly out of nowhere.

Anxiety attack is not a clinical diagnosis and therefore does not have a specific definition, however, people generally use the word to describe a crescendo in their anxiety. For example, a specific trigger builds and grows until the worry and tension feels overwhelming.

Does the Difference Matter?

Yes and no. As a therapist, at the end of the day I worry less about what we call symptoms and focus more on meeting my clients where they're at and helping them get to where they want to be. Panic attacks and anxiety attacks are both a clear indication that anxiety is running high but the treatment approach can have some differences.

panic attack vs anxiety attack. shows a table that highlights the differences between panic attacks vs anxiety attacks

With panic attacks, there will be a focus on learning to cope with and mitigate panic attacks while they happen, identifying potential triggers or contributing factors, and working to reduce overall anxiety levels. Often times someone who has started having panic attacks will begin avoiding places they fear having an attack, such as driving or public places. If that's the case, we work face those fears so they can get back to living life normally.

Treating anxiety attacks is built upon treating the underlying anxiety. We will work to identify triggers and contributing factors and address thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and past experiences that are playing a part. I help those clients mitigate those triggers and learn how to cope pro-actively.

Bottom Line

When we compare panic attacks vs anxiety attacks they are not the same thing. But both are an indication there is underlying anxiety and both are treatable. If you're experiencing panic attacks or intense anxiety episodes you don't have to deal with it alone.