Question

What’s the difference between anxiety and panic?

Answer 1

Anxiety and panic are related but distinct psychological experiences. Both are characterized by intense feelings of fear and distress, but they differ in their duration, intensity, triggers, and overall impact on a person's life.

Anxiety:

1. Duration: Anxiety tends to be a prolonged state of worry, fear, or unease that can last for days, weeks, or even months.
2. Intensity: While anxiety can be distressing, it usually isn't as overwhelming or sudden as panic attacks.
3. Triggers: Anxiety can be triggered by specific situations or events, but it can also be a more general sense of apprehension or worry about the future.
4. Physical symptoms: Physical symptoms of anxiety can include muscle tension, restlessness, fatigue, headaches, sweating, and gastrointestinal issues.
5. Cognitive symptoms: Anxiety may lead to excessive worrying, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and a sense of impending doom.

Panic:

1. Duration: Panic attacks are relatively short-lived, typically reaching their peak within minutes and subsiding within 20-30 minutes.
2. Intensity: Panic attacks are intense and often overwhelming, with an abrupt onset of extreme fear or discomfort.
3. Triggers: Panic attacks can occur seemingly out of the blue or be triggered by specific situations or phobias.
4. Physical symptoms: Panic attacks are associated with a wide range of physical symptoms, including a pounding or racing heart, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, dizziness, sweating, and a feeling of choking.
5. Cognitive symptoms: During a panic attack, a person may feel a loss of control, a fear of dying or going crazy, and a strong urge to escape the situation.

It's important to note that while anxiety and panic are different experiences, they can coexist, and some people with chronic anxiety may also experience panic attacks. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety or panic attacks, it's essential to seek professional help from a mental health provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Both conditions are treatable, and various therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications, can be effective in managing and reducing their impact.