By: Elliana Nath
Oftentimes you may use the terms for Anxiety and Panic Disorder interchangeably, yet these two conditions are NOT the same. Each of these two mental disorders have their own set of causes/triggers, attack symptoms, and diagnosis/treatments. While these sometimes may overlap or show similarities; it is important to know the differences between them. Confusion or misuse of the terms for Anxiety or Panic Disorder can lead to misunderstanding, misinformation, and even improper treatment. These are important to avoid, and can begin with educating yourself on the basics of each, and then properly using each term.
Causes/Triggers
Anxiety and Panic Disorder can be differentiated between by determining the cause or trigger of an attack (or lack thereof). Typically anxiety attacks will have a specific trigger, but can sometimes seem to happen for no reason — usually referred to as free-floating anxiety. See the organizer below for some common causes and risk factors that contribute to General Anxiety Disorder. While most anxiety attacks will have an apparent cause, panic attacks do not. Panic attacks come on suddenly and for no apparent reason, and differ tremendously in intensity and symptoms, as discussed in the next section.
Attack Symptoms
Anxiety and Panic attacks unsurprisingly have many symptoms in common, hence the confusion surrounding the differentiation between the two. One of the main differences between Anxiety and Panic attacks are how severe and how long they are: Anxiety attacks tend to be less severe, but usually last much longer than panic attacks. Panic attacks are extremely intense and are shorter in duration. Below are specific symptoms that a person may experience while having an Anxiety or Panic attack:
Treatments
Both Anxiety and Panic Disorder require a diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and can be treated by these professionals. The most common treatments for these disorder include talk therapy, prescription medications, or self-help strategies (that you can do on your own). Some self help strategies include the following: controlled breathing exercises, progressive relaxation, and mindfulness. Therapy and medications can help you get to the root of the issue, but in the moment, finding a way to divert your focus away from a stressor or towards something comforting/grounding can help you calm down easily.
An easy grounding method — way to bring your attention towards something other than your present attack — I was taught to cope with my anxiety is the 54321 method. In this, you first name 5 things you can see, then 4 things you can touch/feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. In my experience, this has helped me calm down during anxiety attacks, but finding a certain strategy that works for you is key. Others who struggle with anxiety or panic attacks may find comfort in a specific person, object, thought, or action (like looking at clouds). With the help of a psychologist or psychiatrist you can learn more techniques to cope with your anxiety or panic disorder, but this was just a helpful method I have used before.
Effects of COVID-19
Undeniably, everyone’s lives have been significantly impacted by the Coronavirus Pandemic, and mental health is surely no exception. Specifically those with Anxiety or Panic Disorders may experience more frequent attacks due to the change in lifestyle caused by COVID-19. Considering how COVID can add to the stress someone feels every day now, it is obvious how an increasingly stressful time can worsen someone’s anxiety. If you or someone you know struggle(s) with Anxiety or Panic Disorder, it is important to remember to regularly check in on your/their mental health. Changes like working or learning from home, being required to wear a mask, possibly being laid off, or losing a loved one can be extremely hard to cope with on their own, but can be especially taxing to those struggling with Anxiety (or cause someone to develop anxiety). If you or a friend, family member, or loved one seems to be struggling with the disorders or symptoms discussed in this article — whether because of COVID-19 or life in general — it is always a healthy decision to visit a psychologist or psychiatrist to receive a possible diagnosis and discuss your treatment options. Mental health is equally as important as physical health, both of which can be greatly affected by the pandemic…so let this serve as a reminder for you to take care of yourself and others in both of these respects.
Sources:
Leonard, Jayne. “Panic Attack vs. Anxiety Attack: What Is the Difference?” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 24 Jan. 2020, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321798#what-should-i-do-during-an-attack.
Sheryl Ankrom, MS. “What Is the Difference Between Panic and Anxiety Attacks?” Verywell Mind, 6 July 2020, https://www.verywellmind.com/anxiety-attacks-versus-panic-attacks-2584396.