panic attack vs anxious episode

[LyndaLu]

So what is the difference between a panic attack and an anxious episode ?

I have not experienced a full blown panic attack for a long while now. Back in 2006/2007
I was having a terrible time in my life and I suffered horribly from panic attacks -
THE WORKS - and migraines too. I got some help from a doctor and I got some medications.
I quit having the full blown panic attacks but I had anxiety. I almost had a full blown panic
attack two and a half years ago and that is when my doctor put me on some anxiety meds.
As far as I can tell, I have anxiety but not panic attacks right now. I think sometimes in
the workbook or the CD's they use anxious episodes/panic attacks as being the same thing, but
I don't feel that they are the same thing, at least they aren't to me.

Lynda

[Iwillbebetter]

Lynda, from what I understand even feelings of panic are a panick attack in her deffinition. I don't think the degree of the attack comes into play. A full blown would be like a 10 panick attack where as feeling a bit anxious may be a 1.... I have never had a full blown, so I personally don't like to refer to them as panick attacks I would refer to them more as anxious episodes. That is what I got from it... they are all panick attacks, some just prefer one wording over the other...

[LyndaLu]

Thanks for the response !

I have not had a full blown panic attack for a long while now.

I used to get them all of the time a few years ago.

My prior attacks sent me to the Emergency Room more than once.

I went home sick from work more than once too.

One time my co-workers even called the paramedics because I was not feeling well at work.

The paramedics came to take a look at me and to check me out to make sure I was okay !

I eventually crashed and had the breakdown 5 years ago, was hosptialized and then I got some

meds to help me out. My worry now is about getting the panic attacks back because I am slowly

weaning myself off of the medications because my health insurance expired and I cannot afford

to take the medications anymore. I am worried about having those insane panic attacks again and ending

up at the Emergency Room......but maybe that won't happen now that I know what panic attacks

really are and that they won't cause me any harm and that I don't need to be afraid. Just float through it.

I guess now I know what those panicky feelings are and I shouldn't be afraid if I start feeling them again, but

I am hoping that the panicky feelings won't come back at all after I quit the meds because I

am working on the program and trying to learn as much as I can now.

Gotta go for now,

Lynda