Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal biological response when a person is in danger. Your nervous system is sent into fight, flight, fawn, or freeze. When anxiety begins to affect your day to day life that is when it can become a problem. Anxiety typically looks like excessive and all consuming fear that can feel very overwhelming. Sometimes symptoms of anxiety can turn into biological sensations that can become an anxiety or panic attack.

Difference between Anxiety attacks and Panic attacks?

Many times people can get confused with difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack. Both can look very similar which can make it hard to differentiate between the two. The main difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack is the severity level. Typically panic attacks are much more severe than anxiety attacks. According to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition, these are the following symptoms for a panic attack and anxiety attack.

Panic Attack Symptoms

Feelings of dissociation
Fear of losing control
Fear of dying
Chest Pain
Chills
Sweating
Throat tightens
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Rapid heart rate
Nausea or upset stomach
Numbness or tingling
Shaking
Shortness of breath

Anxiety Attack Symptoms

Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Restlessness
Trouble sleeping
Dizziness
Fatigue or lack of energy
Rapid heart rate
Easily startled
Muscle tension

Reference: Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition

Different Anxiety Disorders Treated

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Excessive anxiety, worry, or apprehensive expectation about certain situations.

Panic Disorder

Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Noticeable or intense, fear or anxiety of social situations in which the person can be judged or scrutinized by others.

Agoraphobia

Noticeable or intense, fear or anxiety triggered by real or anticipated exposure to situations such as public transportation, open spaces, enclosed spaces, standing in line, being in a crowd, or being outside of the home alone.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Excessive fear or anxiety from home or primary attachment figures.

Specific Phobia

Excessive fear or anxiety to the presence of a specific situation or object. Common phobias include a specific animal, natural environmental factors, blood, needles, airplanes, enclosed spaces, elevators, loud sounds, getting sick, or vomiting.