“Is there a difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack?”
I am a 28 year old male and I can't tell if my recent episode was a panic or anxiety attack. What is the difference?
3 Answers
PsychiatristPsychiatrist
Higher level of anxiety disorder is Panic disorder.
Usually there is an overlapping use of both these terms. However, from strictly medical point of view anxiety attack is considered as the acute exacerbation of ongoing symptoms of Generalized or social anxiety disorder without much involvement of physical symptoms even though mild physical symptoms may be present. Panic attack is more severe form of Anxiety Attack with the combination of both psychological and physical symptoms. Most common physical symptoms include racing heart, tightness in the chest, butterflies in stomach, sweating not related to heat, headache, and muscle pain or stiffness particularly in neck and shoulder areas.
David J. Koehn
Psychologist
This link should help you address your question:
www.panicattacksdisorder.org/anxiety-attack-versus-panic-attack
www.panicattacksdisorder.org/anxiety-attack-versus-panic-attack
