Difference between Panic/Anxiety Attacks

sking718 · Post by **sking718** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 1:53 pm

I suffer from both Panic attacks and Anxiety attacks. They are totally different. With my Panic attacks, I hyperventilate---it starts all of a sudden---no warning. I've suffered with them since I was a teenager.

I started having Anxiety attacks after my husband died---11 yrs ago. Just after he died, I was on my way to a meeting about his estate and some "JERK" messed with me on the interstate. Ever since, I have a HORRIBLE time on the interstate. I feel like I'm driving drunk---litterally. I feel dizzy and out of control.

Does anyone else suffer from either or BOTH???

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 4:07 pm

Not sure if there's a big difference in the two. A bad anxiety attack leads to panic. I get to where I can't breathe, also. A panic attack is nothing but severe anxiety, which makes you start to panic.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 5:25 pm

Anxiety is an overall anxious feeling.. which could consist of just one or several feelings or sensations. It is just an overall anxious feeling, like perhaps restlessness. A panic attack is a full blown release of adrenaline and puts you into a "flight or fight" response, where all kinds of body symptoms come through... you feel like nothing else you can imagine. All the blood rushes to the muscles, pupils dilate, sweats, feelings of lightheadedness, shaking, and on and on and on.

My anxiety is just a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), an overall feeling of anxiousness (social anxiety), but not full blown panic.

Hard to explain, but thats just me.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:24 am

Flyer, you worded the differences perfectly. My anxiety has gotten worse in the last few months---I'm actually sitting her shaking as I'm typing this---and my heart is pounding. At least with my Panic attacks, I KNOW that it will be over in about 20 minutes. But the Anxiety just doesn't go away. The doctor gave me Xanax but I don't want to take it everyday and become dependent.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 12:16 pm

Hi Sking713,

That's how it is with me. A panic attack I know will be over and I can just "ride it through". This generalized anxiety that I struggle with goes on and on, seeming to never end. I use relaxation CDs a lot as well as meditation and those help a lot. This, along with distracting myself with puzzles, the computer, etc. helps.