Anxiety and Panic Attacks- Defining Differences In Symptoms And What To Ask Your Therapist:
Anxiety and panic attacks share similarities in symptoms that can make it difficult to understand differences between one or the other. They shouldn't be terms that are used interchangeably though as there are marked differences and are different in clinical diagnosis from one another. This article might aid in understanding some of the differences between anxiety and panic attacks but is not a replacement for a professional diagnosis. If you or someone you love is suffering from symptoms in relation to anxiety or potentially panic please reach out to a mental health professional. Here at Inward Counseling we have professionals that can help you reduce symptoms of anxiety or panic through therapy services. This article will also explain different questions to ask your therapist in regard to anxiety or panic if you are already in therapy yourself.
What are the marked differences between anxiety and panic attacks?
Anxiety
Anxiety symptoms have an onset that is slower and more gradual overtime.
Anxiety can show up as irritability, sleep disturbances, increases/decreases in appetite, and rumination.
Anxiety may or may not show up with a known source or direct cause. For example some people that experience anxiety may not be able to pinpoint why they have it and other times they are able.
Anxiety can create procrastination or avoidance behaviors that can impact everyday life tasks to be completed.
Anxiety symptoms of increased heart rate, nausea, or butterflies in the stomach that can last a longer duration of time.
Panic Attacks
Panic attack symptoms have a faster onset and feel more intense. But symptoms do not have as long of a duration as anxiety would.
Panic attacks can feel dissociative and feel like you do not have control over your own body or responses.
Panic attack symptoms can include racing heart rate, difficulty breathing, feeling faint, and shaky.
Panic attacks can happen in response to a specific trigger to something. The person who experiences the panic may or may not be cognizant to what the trigger is for the attack.
Fear is often associated with panic attacks because the person that experiences the panic attack may start avoiding people, places, or things that could potentially start an attack.
Questions to ask your therapist about anxiety and panic attacks
What modalities or interventions do you use in therapy that help with managing anxiety and panic attacks?
How do you determine the difference between anxiety versus panic? What are some diagnostic tools that you use to help determine this?
What coping strategies and skills could be used to help anxiety versus panic attacks? Can some coping skills be used to help both?
How can therapy help me determine the difference between anxiety and panic?
Outside of therapy, what can I do to manage and be on top of symptoms of anxiety or panic?
How long can treatment for anxiety and panic episodes with therapy take?
How do you stay up to date on effective treatments for anxiety or panic attacks?
Are there any resources that you have on anxiety or panic attack information that I could use to increase my own awareness and education?
Are there any community groups that I could be a part of because of my experience with anxiety or panic attacks to help me?
How do you measure progress on our treatment goals in relation to anxiety and or panic attack treatment specifically?
If you are ready to regain more control over your life and want to feel relief from symptoms, reach out to us today at Inward Counseling to see if we can help. We look forward to hearing from you!
Click here for more information on anxiety therapy.