More and more individuals report that they feel anxious in the modern world. They may have different reasons for feeling that way, but there’s no denying it’s a serious problem. It’s one the medical world is studying, with doctors and therapists developing new ways of helping people cope with it daily.
Anxiety-induced shortness of breath is relatively common, but things can go one step further than that in some instances. You might go from having a hard time catching your breath to experiencing a full-blown panic attack.
Panic attacks and anxiety can be linked, but they’re not precisely the same. Let’s talk about how to tell the difference between them right now.
What is Anxiety?
First, let’s define anxiety. You should know what it is since it’s so prevalent in the world in 2023. Anxiety is a feeling of unease or even one of dread. It can be related to something specific, or it can be harder to determine its cause.
Some people feel anxiety if they’re on public transportation. Others feel it in social situations. These feelings are normal, but if they’re starting to control you or impede your daily activities, you might need to seek help from a qualified mental health professional.
What is a Panic Attack?
As for a panic attack, that’s a situation where you’re feeling anxious, and those feelings have been ratcheted up to a higher degree than usual. You are in a position where you perceive or believe you are in danger.
Consequently, you might go into fight or flight mode. You may act aggressively during a panic attack because you think something or someone is about to harm you. You might try to hide. A third possibility is that you may simply shut down and experience a form of paralysis.
Telling the Difference Between Them
If someone feels anxious, you can often tell that about them by looking at them. They might sweat or have an uneasy look on their face. Their hands may clench into fists. They may hyperventilate.
If someone is having a panic attack, their behavior is even more noteworthy. We’ve mentioned how they might lash out physically or verbally. Their voice may rise to a feverish pitch. They might flee from the situation that’s causing them to feel that way.
They may hyperventilate till they get to a state that is similar to an asthma attack. They might try to crouch down so as to make themselves appear as small as possible.
Frankly, it’s usually pretty easy to tell when someone is having a full-blown panic attack. The symptoms are hard to conceal. That’s the real difference between regular anxiety and a panic attack. The former might only be noticed by someone looking for the signs, while the latter will get the attention of even the most unobservant person.
Anxiety is not the same as a panic attack, but it can easily lead to one. That’s why individuals who experience anxiety regularly may want to seek help for it.
I was not aware of all these details on the difference between anxiety and panic attacks. Thanks for the information.
Some good information here. I had a panic attack once in the hospital.