What Is The Difference Between A Panic Attack And An Anxiety Attack? Dr. Cathy Frank answers the question: 'Panic Attack Versus Anxiety Attack?'

 -- Question: What is the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack?

Answer: There are similarities and differences between anxiety and panic attacks. An anxiety attack often comes in reaction to a stressor. You're walking down a dark alley and hear footsteps, or you're at even the top of a rollercoaster and looking to go down that large hill.

An anxiety attack, people may feel fearful, apprehensive, may feel their heart racing or feel short of breath, but it's very short lived, and when the stressor goes away, so does the anxiety attack.

Panic attack on the other hand doesn't come in reaction to a stressor. It's unprovoked and unpredictable. And during a panic attack the individual is seized with terror, fear, or apprehension. They may feel that they're going to die, or lose control or have a heart attack. They have a host of physical symptoms which may include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea. And in addition to these terrifying panic attacks, people start worrying about having the next one. So there's a lot of what's called anticipatory anxiety.

Also, they start avoiding places where they have a panic attack. So if they had one in a grocery store for example, they may stop going to the store. The good news is even though this is a very common disorder, it is very treatable.

Next: What Is A Normal Response To A Trauma And When Should I Be Worried About Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?

Previous: How Is 'Normal' Anxiety Different From An 'Anxiety Disorder'?