Panic Attack vs. Anxiety Attack: What’s the Difference?

A panic attack is a swift, sudden, overwhelming physiological and emotional response, says Deborah Serani, PsyD, a psychologist and senior adjunct professor at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York.

“It’s a frightening and uncomfortable mind-body moment that signals a flight-fight-freeze response. Simply stated, the body is flooded with stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, that perch you in a hyperarousal state,” explains Dr. Serani.

Common symptoms of a panic attack, per Cleveland Clinic, include:

• Fast heart rate
• Chest pain
• Hyperventilation
• Trembling
• Nausea
• Chills
• Sweating
• Feelings of intense terror
• A choking sensation
• Fear of a loss of control
• Feeling like you might die
• Feeling detached from reality (derealization) or from yourself (depersonalization)

“Many children and adults report that a panic attack feels as if they’re going to die. It’s a dreadful and highly unbearable experience,” states Serani.

Panic attacks are meant to serve as a defensive or protective mechanism; however, there’s often no specific trigger that can be identified, as the person is usually in no real danger, says Erkfitz.

Panic attacks are the hallmark symptom of panic disorder (an anxiety disorder characterized by regular and recurring panic attacks), but they can also happen alongside other anxiety disorders, such as phobias, as well as alongside mood disorders or trauma-related disorders, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Approximately 11 percent of people in the United States experience a panic attack each year, and up to 3 percent have panic disorder, per Cleveland Clinic.

Although panic attacks are usually accompanied by physical symptoms and can feel very intense, they’re usually not physically harmful to your health, per Cleveland Clinic. However, they can be very detrimental to your mental health and the quality of your life, so it’s important to seek professional help if you think you’re experiencing panic attacks, per Cleveland Clinic.