Panic Anxiety Attacks – Symptoms, Causes And Treatments

Do you know the difference between panic and anxiety attacks? Anxiety is consider as an intense scared or worried emotion while under intense pressure or due to a stressful situation. It's a natural response of the body. When danger is coming it's resembles an automatic alarm that goes off when there are trespassers.

So what is a panic attack? A panic attack is a sudden fear or intense panic that shows up instantly with or without reason. It can happen anytime, any place and to anyone. Some experts will say, a panic attack is a side effect from biological issues, medicine withdrawal or is hereditary. If you prefer to treat yourself, it's better to distinguish between the two attacks to have the right diagnose.

What is the difference between panic and anxiety attacks? Anxiety is considered a normal reaction to stress associated with fear, while panic is a sudden feeling of fear. Both deal with mental disturbances but with a common factor, “fear”. These conditions are frightening with debilitating effects on the body and mentally. If you prefer to treat yourself, it is better to distinguish between the two attacks to get an accurate diagnose. Simple ways to determine the differences is by the causes and symptoms.

Causes of Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety attacks are recognized as a source of worries such as fear of flying, phobias, or getting sick. It can be brought on by too much worrying about your up coming wedding or an arguement with your husband that ends without understanding. In the event of attack, pressure on your mind builds up and keeps increasing until you feel like you are going to explode and go crazy. Losing control over yourself is very frightening. It is very scary, as severe anxiety attacks could cause you to lose control of your mind or “go crazy”.

Causes of Panic Attack

Stopping medication or withdrawal of alcohol may result in a panic attack. It can also be from genes that you inherited from your parents. Hypoglycemia and other biological issues can caused panic attacks. Exposure of a phobic situation may cause severe panic attacks and if the patient cannot gather back her/himself, it may result in losing control of oneself. When fear of a possible recurrence constantly plays inside your head, it may lead or result into a more often and severe panic attack. Worst case scenario is heart failure may developed.

Both deal with a mental imbalance, but on different grounds or reasons. Anxiety attacks are from worrying that something might happened. In other words your mind advances to the future negative result. And panic attack is from within yourself. It is a fear of recurrence that could lead to a more severe problem. Another difference between the two is that anxiety attacks can keep going on and on until you are able to fully recover, while panic attacks can peak after a short period of time and cease. Therefore, between the two, it is easier to treat panic attacks than anxiety.

Symptoms of Anxiety attack

Anxiety attacks start a bit slower than a panic attack in terms of heart rate increase, dizziness and flashes. The attack starts with a long-term stress such as muscle tension, restlessness, disturbed sleep and often changes in moods. It takes longer for the attack to occur and may even take a few hours, sometimes even days before it peaks.

Symptoms of Panic attack

Panic attacks start with the pounding of the heart, nausea, chills, shortness of breath and hot flashes. It does not take long to reach its peak , in 3 to 10 minutes you will feel a rapid feeling of discomfort. Heart beat will intensify so fast that it makes the patient sweat a lot. Disorientation and fainting may occur.

Treatments of both anxiety and panic attacks

Anxiety attacks may require medical treatment, unlike panic attacks. Anxiety is close related to post-traumatic stress, which needs antidepressants to calm yourself down. While panic attacks need more self-control and self-motivation. There are so many ways and strategies on treating both conditions and whichever you choose make sure to be responsible, consistent and patient. Those attitudes are very important for treating panic and anxiety attacks.

Other articles you might like;

• How To Treat Panic Attacks
• What is a Panic Attack?
• Symptoms of Anxiety Attacks
• Panic Attacks Causes
• Cures For Panic Attacks