Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDifferencesPanic AttackAnxietyDiagnosisTreatment
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Differences
Panic Attack
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You might hear the terms “anxiety attack” and “panic attack” used interchangeably. This is understandable, given that they share somecommon symptoms. However, behavioral health professionals use these terms for specific symptoms and disorders, and they have different features.
Anxiety, on the other hand, is part of the emotional and protective responses hardwired into the human body. It becomes a problem when it’s longstanding, excessive, and disruptive to daily life—in which case, it’s termed ananxiety disorder. Although intense anxiety symptoms can feel like an attack, “anxiety attack” is not a recognized diagnosis.
This article discusses panic attacks vs. anxiety attacks—their similarities, differences, definitions, symptoms, and treatments.
Verywell / Joshua Seong
Clinical Differences
Professionals who treat mental health conditions base a diagnosis on criteria found in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition), known as theDSM-5. Though anxiety and panic attacks may feel similar, the differences outlined in the DSM help identify and distinguish them. The definitions and diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5 guide a healthcare provider to make a diagnosis and classify your condition.
The differences between panic and anxiety are best described in terms of the intensity of the symptoms and the length of time the main symptoms occur. Panic attacks usually peak at around 10 minutes while anxiety can last for months.
Panic AttackSuddenLasts for minutesShaking or tremblingChest painHot flashesSense of detachmentAnxietyGradually buildsCan last for monthsRestlessnessFatigueMuscle tensionIrritability
Panic AttackSuddenLasts for minutesShaking or tremblingChest painHot flashesSense of detachment
Sudden
Lasts for minutes
Shaking or trembling
Chest pain
Hot flashes
Sense of detachment
AnxietyGradually buildsCan last for monthsRestlessnessFatigueMuscle tensionIrritability
Gradually builds
Can last for months
Restlessness
Fatigue
Muscle tension
Irritability
Panic attacks are mainly associated with a condition known aspanic disorder, though they may occur with other psychiatric disorders. It is also possible to have a panic attack if you have no disorder.
The term “anxiety attack,” on the other hand, is not defined in the DSM-5. Rather, “anxiety” is used to describe a core feature of several illnesses identified under the headings ofanxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and trauma- and stressor-related disorders.
Anxiety is distinguished from a panic attack in that it includes symptoms such as apprehension and worry, but without the extreme fear and sense of detachment that occurs during a panic attack.
Some of the most common disorders under these three headings include:
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What Is a Panic Attack?
In contrast, anxiety generally intensifies over a period of time and is highly correlated with excessive worry about some potential danger—whether real or perceived.If the anticipation of something builds up and the high amount of stress reaches a level where it becomes overwhelming, it may feel like an “attack.” The symptoms of anxiety may include the following.
While some of the symptoms of anxiety are similar to those associated with panic attacks, they are generally less intense. Unlike a panic attack, the symptoms of anxiety may be persistent and very long-lasting—days, weeks, or even months.
What Happens During an “Anxiety Attack”
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions, affecting an estimated 19.1% of U.S. adults each year.In fact, all adults under the age of 65 should receive routine screening for anxiety per the recommendations of the United States Preventative Services Task Force.
While anxiety can have a significant impact on a person’s life, only around 20% of people who experience symptoms seek treatment.
Effective treatments are available that can improve outcomes and well-being, so it is important to talk to a doctor if you are having symptoms of anxiety or panic attacks. Because women are twice as likely as men to experience symptoms of anxiety, the Women’s Preventative Services Initiative now recommends anxiety screening for all women over the age of 13.
During an evaluation, the doctor will take a medical history, a physical exam, and may run lab tests to help rule out any medical illnesses that might be contributing to your symptoms.
A doctor or mental health professional will also ask questions about your symptoms including their intensity, duration, and impact on your normal daily functioning. Based on your evaluation, they may then make a diagnosis based on criteria found in the DSM-5.
RecapAnxiety is a very common mental health condition that affects millions of Americans each year. Doctors often utilize screening tools to check for symptoms of anxiety. Diagnosing anxiety or panic attacks involves evaluating a person’s symptoms in terms of their impact, duration, and severity.
Recap
Anxiety is a very common mental health condition that affects millions of Americans each year. Doctors often utilize screening tools to check for symptoms of anxiety. Diagnosing anxiety or panic attacks involves evaluating a person’s symptoms in terms of their impact, duration, and severity.
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Treatment for Panic and Anxiety
Whether you’re dealing with panic, persistent anxiety, or both, effective treatments are available. Some of the most common treatment options include therapy, prescription medications, and self-help strategies.You may decide to try one or a combination of these methods.
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A Word From Verywell
Anxiety and panic attacks can potentially disrupt your everyday life. Whether you or a friend or loved one experiences them, know that help is available. Talking to a doctor about your symptoms is the first step to finding relief.
If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
6 SourcesVerywell 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.National Institutes of Mental Health.Panic disorder: When fear overwhelms.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.US Preventive Services Task Force.Screening for Depression and Suicide Risk in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.JAMA.2023;329(23):2057–2067. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.9297Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety disorders: Diagnosis and tests.
6 Sources
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.National Institutes of Mental Health.Panic disorder: When fear overwhelms.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.US Preventive Services Task Force.Screening for Depression and Suicide Risk in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.JAMA.2023;329(23):2057–2067. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.9297Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety disorders: Diagnosis and tests.
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.
National Institutes of Mental Health.Panic disorder: When fear overwhelms.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.US Preventive Services Task Force.Screening for Depression and Suicide Risk in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.JAMA.2023;329(23):2057–2067. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.9297Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety disorders: Diagnosis and tests.
National Institutes of Mental Health.Panic disorder: When fear overwhelms.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.
US Preventive Services Task Force.Screening for Depression and Suicide Risk in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.JAMA.2023;329(23):2057–2067. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.9297
Gregory KD, Chelmow D, Nelson HD, et al.Screening for anxiety in adolescent and adult women: A recommendation from the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.Ann Intern Med. 2020. doi:10.7326/M20-0580
Cleveland Clinic.Anxiety disorders: Diagnosis and tests.
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