Anxiety and Panic: What’s the Difference?
Panic and anxiety are two terms that you might hear used interchangeably. Someone with panic attacks almost certainly experiences a lot of anxiety. After all, they both involve worrying about something, right? The two conditions are very different. Let’s take a look at how these two conditions compare and contrast.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of worry. You might have trouble sleeping because you’re constantly worrying about things. You might also have difficulty concentrating or feel quickly out of breath. These are typical symptoms of anxiety, and they aren’t indicative of a more severe condition.
The difference between anxiety and anxiety disorders is a matter of severity. How much anxiety negatively affects your life, whether it’s your ability to get things done or your quality of life, determines whether or not you have an anxiety disorder.
What is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is a severe illness that causes sufferers to experience sudden and unexpected bouts of intense, uncontrollable fear and extreme worry. The only thing these moments of panic have in common with normal anxiety is that they both involve worry.
Panic attacks are often mistaken for heart attacks or other health emergencies.
What is the Difference Between Anxiety and Panic Disorders?
Although both anxiety and panic disorders are types of anxiety, they are very different. They affect different body parts and have different symptoms, but their main difference is in the cause.
1. Panic attacks are believed to come from a problem in the limbic system. This is the part of the brain that deals with fight-or-flight responses; Anxiety, on the other hand, comes from the higher-level brain areas responsible for verbal thought.
2. Panic attacks are sudden and unexpected; chronic anxiety is more of a constant worry.
3. Panic attacks are a bit like emotional earthquakes. They are very short and happen suddenly. They also tend to be more common in people who have never experienced them. On the other hand, anxiety is like a slow but steady drumbeat that can go on for years. While it can be managed, it never really goes away.
How to Manage Anxiety and Panic Together
If you have both conditions, you must understand that they are related but different.
Some advice:
~Keep a paper or electronic calendar of your symptoms. This can help you understand the source of your symptoms and allow your doctor to give you the proper treatment.
~Use practices that soothe the mind and the body. Listen to the sessions about these mental issues. You may find relaxations and courses that help you relax immediately in the Sensera app. It takes only 10 minutes, and you get stable mental health that lasts a lifetime.
~Remember that many anxiety and panic disorder treatments work best in combination. For example, anti-anxiety medications alone can help reduce short-term symptoms and keep you from feeling panic. Antidepressants can help with long-term anxiety, while anti-anxiety medications treat short-term symptoms.
Conclusion
Anxiety and panic disorders are common mental illnesses affecting millions of people on any given day. While they are two different conditions, they often appear together in the same person. If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or panic, there is help available. Don’t hesitate to seek help, because you deserve to live without fear.
This article is written by a therapist from the Sensera app. Sensera app is the #1 mental health app for women. Deal with mental issues in 10 minutes a day. Improve your mood and relationships. Download now to get happy!
