How Panic Differs from Anxiety

First, a definition: Panic Disorder is recurrent, unexpected panic attacks that are accompanied with an abrupt surge of intense fear/discomfort that reaches it’s peak within minutes. Four or more of the following must also occur: heart palpitations, sweating, trembling/shaking, shortness of breath, feelings of choking, chest pain, abdominal distress, dizziness/light-headedness, chills/heat sensations, numbness/tingling, derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself), fear of losing control/”going crazy,” and/or fear of dying (DSM 5).

It is not uncommon for people experiencing their first episode to go immediately to an emergency room believing they are having a heart attack. It is often a confusing and unsettling experience.

There is also an element of avoidance (which is unsurprising, if you think about it). We want to avoid triggers or areas where it may occur, or occur again. There is a one month long or longer period of “persistent concern or worry about additional panic attacks or their consequences” (DSM5).

For example, this looks like: “I got bit in the face by a neighborhood dog. It caused me to sweat, have trouble breathing and my heart to beat furiously. Therefore, I avoid all dogs.” OR “Every time I go to work or think about going to work, I have shortness of breath, dizziness and trouble concentrating. Now I can’t get myself to the office.”
The difference between a panic attack and panic disorder is that an attack is one incident (that may happen off and on), where a disorder is marked by recurrent and unexpected attacks with at least one month of worry that it will happen again and again.

Whew. That’s a lot of information. Let’s recap.

• Anxiety – Everyone on the planet experiences this at some point and in varying intensities. It’s part of life. (Even if people don’t like to admit it.)
• Anxiety Disorder – Excessive worry and physical symptoms of stress that interfere with daily life for at least 6 months
• Fear – Everyone experiences this at some point. It’s the intense moment of fear/surprise that takes your breath away and is shocking to you. It’s noticeably a physiological response (adrenaline rush, light-headed, hot flashes, sweating, heart racing, etc.) It may be the precursor to an attack, or it may pass quickly.
• Panic Attacks – An incident of extreme panic that lasts seconds to minutes with moderate to severe physical symptoms of stress (like shortness of breath, hot flashes, chest tightness, dizziness, etc.)
• Panic Disorder – Multiple experiences of attacks that are unexpected along with at least one month of worry/concern about panic attacks happening or interfering with daily life

Does this post help you to understand your own experiences of anxiety, fear, and panic? What is one step you can take to acknowledge the feeling? What is one step you can take to validate your experience without judging it as a weakness?