What’s the Difference Between Panic Attacks and Anxiety Attacks?

Are panic attacks and anxiety attacks the same thing? Not quite, experts say. Although they have some similarities, panic attacks and anxiety attacks are two distinct experiences, says Nicole Erkfitz, LCSW , the executive director of A Mission for Michael Healthcare in McLean, Virginia, a mental health practice that treats anxiety disorders. But many people mistakenly use these terms interchangeably, leading to confusion about mental health diagnoses and seeking appropriate help, adds Erkfitz. That’s why it’s so important to know the differences between the two, their potential health effects, and the treatment options for each.
What Is a Panic Attack? Panic Attacks A panic attack is a swift, sudden, overwhelming physiological and emotional response, says Deborah Serani, PsyD , a psychologist and senior adjunct professor at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. “It’s a frightening and uncomfortable mind-body moment that signals a flight-fight-freeze response. Simply stated, the body is flooded with stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol, that perch you in a hyperarousal state,” explains Dr. Serani. Common symptoms of a panic attack include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762933ec3463-6212-4cad-bbc7-b683759ff7d3 Fast heart rate Chest pain Hyperventilation Trembling Nausea Chills Sweating Feelings of intense terror A choking sensation Fear of a loss of control Feeling like you might die Feeling detached from reality (derealization) or from yourself (depersonalization) e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292ac53bb6-689b-45a1-b9cd-313a0c268f11 Panic attacks are meant to serve as a defensive or protective mechanism; however, there’s often no specific trigger that can be identified, as the person is usually in no real danger, says Erkfitz. Panic attacks are the hallmark symptom of panic disorder (an anxiety disorder characterized by regular and recurring panic attacks), but they can also happen alongside other anxiety disorders , such as phobias, as well as mood disorders or trauma-related disorders.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762988a52e2f-5dd0-4bd4-832b-20996f301cd2 Approximately 11 percent of people in the United States experience a panic attack each year, and up to 3 percent have panic disorder, according to Cleveland Clinic.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629aff35a19-56a2-4ebf-a2d0-837fb2cb3850 Although panic attacks are usually accompanied by physical symptoms and can feel intense, they’re usually not physically harmful to your health. However, they can be detrimental to your mental health and quality of life, so it’s important to seek professional help if you think you’re experiencing panic attacks.
What Is an Anxiety Attack? Anxiety Attacks Unlike the term “panic attack,” “anxiety attack” is not a formal clinical term used by health professionals. It’s a colloquial term used to describe feelings of anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety may include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297b07c401-5d77-4c3e-90c9-0c76d77af678 Feeling fear or uneasiness Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts Sweaty or cold hands Dry mouth Nausea Tension in your muscles Inability to be calm or still Difficulty sleeping Restlessness Racing heart The symptoms of anxiety usually build up gradually and tend to be triggered by specific stressors. These symptoms are closely related to various anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) , but they can happen to people without anxiety disorders too.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f6273d7f-7e05-48c2-b605-1662de5cb79b People with GAD tend to have constant, excessive, and unrealistic worries about minor, everyday things such as chores, job responsibilities, or health. Anxiety disorders are very common, with about 30 percent of Americans experiencing an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, according to the American Psychiatric Association.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299af1feda-475a-4ce0-a37d-c08d77fd331e
What’s the Difference Between a Panic Attack and an Anxiety Attack? What’s the Difference? Symptoms of anxiety attacks and panic attacks can resemble one another in some ways, says Erkfitz. Shared symptoms between the two can include trouble breathing, a racing or irregular heartbeat, and feelings of anxiety, she adds. But they also differ in various ways, notes Erkfitz. “Among the key distinctions are the ability to identify and acknowledge triggers, the manner in which the episode builds up, and the severity of its manifestation.” The key differences between panic and anxiety attacks are:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762971b101b9-573e-4c6d-81fe-27e0d1a281c2 Panic attacks happen swiftly and suddenly, whereas anxiety attacks happen gradually. Panic attacks generally do not have a known triggering event, while anxiety attacks do. Panic attacks cause very intense feelings (like you’re going to die), and even a feeling of being disconnected from reality. Anxiety attacks cause feelings of worry and dread, but not nearly as intensely as panic attacks. Panic attacks cause intense bodily responses, such as chest pain, a racing heart, trembling, and nausea or vomiting. Anxiety attacks also cause physiological responses, but to a less extreme degree, and they tend to include a racing heart, muscle tension, nausea, an inability to feel calm or stay still, and trouble sleeping.
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When Should I Get Help for a Panic Attack or Anxiety Attack? When to Get Help “It is imperative for individuals facing these symptoms to reach out for assistance and support,” states Erkfitz. e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296034e42f-63a4-48f5-b3f3-2d33095179a0 The type of help you should seek depends on the symptoms you’re experiencing. Panic attacks can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack. If you are experiencing chest pain, trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, or have panic attacks that last longer than 15 minutes, you should seek emergency medical help by dialing 911 or going to a nearby emergency room.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298dafd3f5-39e6-4390-9f49-0a180a5819f1 If you don’t feel you’re having an emergency but are experiencing panic attacks or intense anxiety that negatively affects your quality of life, you should still schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider, says Serani. “I always recommend the first line of intervention is to see your general practitioner. We want to make sure that there are no other medical conditions that could ‘look like’ an anxiety disorder,” she states. Once your doctor rules out any other conditions that could be causing your symptoms, a referral to a mental health professional is the next step. This can come from your primary care doctor, your insurance company, or a word-of-mouth referral from a friend or loved one, says Serani. Treatments for panic attacks and anxiety attacks have some overlap, she adds. Psychotherapy can help manage both. If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may also discuss medications with you, such as anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b693d99d-84fc-47bf-b9ed-2248f68b4bbc RELATED: How to Find a Therapist Who’s Right for You

Are you and your partner neglecting sex play? Learn how to add it back into your routine to boost your bond in and out of the bedroom. While "quickies" can be fun and spontaneous, skipping foreplay means missing out on a great way to connect emotionally and physically. According to Pepper Schwartz, PhD, a sexual health expert and researcher at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, foreplay is critical, elemental, and necessary. Foreplay, also known as "outercourse," is any sexual activity that occurs before intercourse. There is no single way to engage in foreplay, as it can mean different things to different people. It can involve kissing, caressing, cuddling, flirty texting or talking, massage, and oral sex. If you like it a little rough, biting, pinching, scratching, and spanking can be a turn-on. The goal is to increase sexual excitement, which can help prepare the body for intercourse. Foreplay is sometimes thought of as a warm-up for sex, but it doesn't necessarily have to lead to intercourse. Some couples find foreplay itself to be sexually fulfilling as a main event. The benefits of foreplay include lubrication of the vagina, an extended erection, and the prevention of premature ejaculation for people with penises. The female body pulls the uterus up when aroused, lengthening the vagina. This process, called uterine tenting, creates a pool area for semen, which is part of the reproductive sophistication of our machinery, according to Dr. Schwartz. As those muscles relax, the nerve endings start to get stimulated, paving the way for a more pleasurable experience. Research involving married couples has found that 1 to 10 minutes of foreplay was associated with 40% of women achieving orgasm during sex. That percentage rose to 50 with 12 to 20 minutes of foreplay and 60 with more than 20 minutes of foreplay. If you want more action in bed, you have to let your partner know what you want. But talking about sex can be easier said than done for some. Dr. Lyndsey Harper, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Texas A&M School of Medicine in Bryan, Texas, recommends two sentence starters to try when expressing sexual desire to your partner: "I want you to..." and "It feels so good when you...". If it makes you more comfortable, you can bring up your sexual needs outside of the bedroom. If you don't know how to bring it up, she suggests starting the conversation with something like, "Our sex life is really important, and I'd love for us to feel open talking about things. Would it be okay for me to share with you some things I like?" Communication comfort is closely linked to trust. To experience true intimacy and fun foreplay, trusting each other is essential, especially since our needs constantly change. Couples who find it difficult to communicate about their desires should consider seeing a couple's counselor or sex therapist who can help them navigate these discussions.
  • Foreplay is just play. Couples can engage in it however they want. According to Dr. Harper, it generally takes about 20 minutes of arousal for women to become fully lubricated and ready for penetrative sex. However, it is best to abolish the idea of "foreplay" and the "main event" of penetrative sex and work together with your partner to create a fun and intimate sexual life where everyone's needs are met.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/sexual-health/sexual-foreplay.aspx