Everyone experiences anxiety now and then — but if you’re feeling worried more often than not, or if you experience intense episodes of panic, your symptoms might indicate something more.
Generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks are two related but distinct experiences that have the power to seriously impact your overall well-being. Both can feel overwhelming, and understanding the differences between them can help you seek the right support.
Our team at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates offers treatment options for anxiety and panic attacks. Here are the basics of each, along with how to tell the difference between them.
Generalized anxiety disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about everyday situations. You might experience worry, fear, or unease about future events, even when there’s little or no reason for concern.
Common symptoms of anxiety include:
While anxiety can vary in intensity, it tends to build slowly and is often tied to specific triggers or situations. For many people, it’s a response to common daily stressors, like work deadlines, relationship challenges, or financial concerns.
A panic attack, on the other hand, is a sudden and intense episode of fear or discomfort. Panic attacks often happen without warning and come with intense feelings of overwhelm. They can come along with anxiety disorders, but panic attacks can affect anyone — even people who aren’t prone to anxiety.
Panic attacks typically peak within a few minutes and then gradually subside. Common symptoms include:
The sudden onset of these symptoms can make a panic attack feel life-threatening, but it’s important to remember that panic attacks aren’t physically dangerous, even though they feel scary.
When you’re experiencing intense feelings of anxiety or panic, it’s not always easy to know what’s causing them. However, there are things to look for when you’re trying to tell the difference between anxiety and panic attacks, and they include:
Anxiety usually develops gradually, and the feelings of worry or fear can linger for an extended period of time without the right treatment. Panic attacks typically come on suddenly, peak quickly, and dissipate within about 20 minutes.
Anxiety symptoms are very real, but they tend to be less intense than panic attack symptoms. Panic attacks often feel completely overwhelming and come with intense physical and emotional symptoms.
Most of the time, anxiety has identifiable triggers, like public speaking or taking a test at school. Panic attacks, on the other hand, can occur without any obvious cause.
Even though they’re different conditions, both generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks can interfere with your daily life. The good news is that effective management strategies can help you navigate your symptoms.
We take a comprehensive approach to mental healthcare at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates, and we offer both therapy and medication management. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly helpful for anxiety and panic attacks, and we tailor your experience to meet your needs.
For example, practicing mindfulness, engaging in regular physical activity, and developing stress management techniques can help reduce anxiety. If you experience panic attacks, practicing grounding exercises like deep breathing can help you regain a sense of control during episodes.
You don’t have to face anxiety or panic attacks alone. With the right support, you can feel better and more confident in managing your mental health. Our team provides comprehensive evaluations to identify your needs and recommend personalized treatment options to help you find relief. Call one of our office locations today, or request an appointment online.
