Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristics of Panic DisorderCharacteristics of GADCoexistence of Conditions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Characteristics of Panic Disorder
Characteristics of GAD
Coexistence of Conditions
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Panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) share some symptoms, such as excessive worrying; however, they’re two separate, distinct mental health conditions. Learn about these two common mental health conditions and the differences between them.
Panic DisorderRecurring panic attacksFear of going insane or losing controlFeelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself (depersonalization)Excessive worry about future attackChest pain, trembling, and shakingAccelerated heart rate, shortness of breathGADExcessive worry over everyday life eventsWorrisome thoughts that interfere with daily functioningSleep troubles, fatigue, muscle tensionIrritabilityFeelings of mind going blank, or impaired concentrationDigestive issues
Panic DisorderRecurring panic attacksFear of going insane or losing controlFeelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself (depersonalization)Excessive worry about future attackChest pain, trembling, and shakingAccelerated heart rate, shortness of breath
Recurring panic attacks
Fear of going insane or losing control
Feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself (depersonalization)
Excessive worry about future attack
Chest pain, trembling, and shaking
Accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath
GADExcessive worry over everyday life eventsWorrisome thoughts that interfere with daily functioningSleep troubles, fatigue, muscle tensionIrritabilityFeelings of mind going blank, or impaired concentrationDigestive issues
Excessive worry over everyday life events
Worrisome thoughts that interfere with daily functioning
Sleep troubles, fatigue, muscle tension
Irritability
Feelings of mind going blank, or impaired concentration
Digestive issues
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The symptoms of a panic attack usually happen suddenly, peak within 10 minutes, and then subside. However, some attacks may last longer or may occur in succession, making it difficult to determine when one attack ends and another begins.
Panic disorder often causesexcessive worryabout having another panic attack, creating a vicious cycle.
It’s not unusual for a person with panic disorder to become so consumed with worry and fear that they develop behavioral changes, such asagoraphobia, to avoid environments or situations where they fear a panic attack may arise.
An Overview of Panic Disorder
Themain feature of GADis excessive and pervasive worry about everyday life events. This worry is difficult to control, and the worrisome thoughts can become unmanageable.
In order to be diagnosed with GAD, worry and anxiety must persist for more than six months and interfere with daily functioning. For a person with GAD, their worry and anxiety may take over, making it difficult for them to complete job tasks, maintain healthy relationships, and take care of themselves.
With GAD, a person may have physical symptoms, but they differ from those with panic disorder. Common examples of these physical symptoms include:
The focus of worry in GAD generally surrounds usual life circumstances—finances, job issues, children, health—unlike in panic disorder, when worry occurs spontaneously and/or focuses on when the next panic attack will occur.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
It is possible to have both panic disorder and GAD. It’s also not uncommon for panic disorder and GAD to co-occur with mood disorders like major depressive disorder, other anxiety disorders likesocial anxiety disorderor asubstance use disorder.
Further complicating the picture is that some medical conditions such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), heart disease, lung disease, or neurological diseases like stroke can mimic the symptoms of a panic disorder or GAD. This is why it’s important to seek out care from a healthcare professional to ensure proper evaluation and diagnosis, and to begin a course of treatment.
Ruling Out Conditions for a Mental Health Diagnosis
A Word From Verywell
The symptoms of panic disorder and GAD can be disabling, affecting both quality of life and a person’s everyday functioning. However, with professional treatment, the vast majority of people with panic disorder or GAD can obtain significant relief from their symptoms. The earlier the diagnosis is made and treatment begins, the better.
If you have symptoms of panic disorder, GAD, or both, talk to your healthcare provider. Reaching out is often the hardest step, but you’ll be happy that you did.
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1 Source
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
Locke AB, Kirst N, Shultz CG.Diagnosis and management of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015 May 1;91(9):617-24.
Stein MB, Craske MG.Treating anxiety in 2017: Optimizing care to improve outcomes.JAMA. 2017 Jul 18;318(3):235-36. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.6996
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