ANXIETY ATTACKS VS. PANIC ATTACKS

ANXIETY VS. PANIC: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE
The Similarities and Distinctions
The terms anxiety attack and panic attack are often used interchangeably to mean the same thing. In this sense, the difference is purely a matter of semantics. But from a clinical perspective, panic and anxiety are defined by different featurs.
The DSM-IV-TR uses the term panic attack to describe the hallmark features associated with panic disorder. The term “anxiety attack” is not defined in the DSM-IV-TR. Rather, anxiety is used to describe a core feature of several illnesses indentified under the heading, “Anxiety Disorders.” Disorders under this heading include:
Panic disorder
Agoraphobia without History of Panic Disoder
Specific Phobia
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
The differences between panic and anxiety are best described in terms of the intensity of the symptoms and length of time the predominant symptoms occur.
Panic Attack
During a panic attack, the sysmptoms are sudden and extremely intense. These symptoms usually occur “out of the blue,” peak within 10 minutes and then subside. However, some attacks may last longer or may occur in succession, making it difficult to determine when one attack ends and another begins.
According to the DSM-IV-TR, a panic attack is characterized by four or more of the following symptoms:
palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
sweating
trembling or shaking
sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
feeling of choking
chest pain or discomfort
nausea or abdominal distress
feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself (depersonalization)
fear of losing control or going crazy
fear of dying
numbness or tingling sensations (paresthesias)
chills or hot flashes
Anxiety
Anxiety, on the other hand, generally intensifies over a peroid of time and is highly correlated to excessive worry. The symptoms of anxiety are very to the symptoms panic attacks and may include:
Muscle tension
Disturbed sleep
Difficulty concentrating
Fatigue
Restlessness
Irritability
Increased startle response
Increased heart rate
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
While some of these symptoms are similar to many of the symptoms associaated with panic attacks, they are generally less intense. Another important distinction is that, unlike a panic attack, the symptoms of anxiety may be presistent and very long lasting—days, weeks or even months.
Whether you're dealing with panic, persistent anxiety or both, effective treatment is available.
Http://panicdisorder.about.com/od/understandingpanic/a/anxvspanic.htm?nl=l