Understanding panic attacks vs anxiety attacks can help you get the right care. Many people use these terms the same way. However, they are not the same thing.
Both can feel scary and overwhelming. But they have different symptoms, triggers, and treatments. In this guide, we’ll explain how to tell them apart. We’ll also share when you should seek help.
The Short Answer
Panic attacks hit suddenly and without warning. They peak within minutes and come with intense physical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and a fear of dying. Anxiety attacks build gradually in response to stress and can last hours or even days, with symptoms like muscle tension, restlessness, and racing thoughts. Both are treatable, but they respond to different approaches.
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden wave of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions, even when there’s no real danger. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear that come without warning and can feel completely overwhelming.
You might be sitting on the couch, driving to work, or even sleeping when one hits. There doesn’t need to be a reason.
Common symptoms include:
- Racing or pounding heartbeat
- Chest pain or tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Shaking or trembling
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Numbness or tingling
- Fear of losing control or dying
- Feeling detached from reality
Most panic attacks peak within 5 to 10 minutes and fade within 20. But the aftermath; exhaustion, fear, confusion, can stick around for hours.
What Is an Anxiety Attack?
An anxiety attack builds slowly. Unlike panic attacks, there’s usually a clear trigger—a stressful deadline, a medical appointment, financial worry, a relationship problem. The dread grows until it spills over into physical symptoms.
The American Psychiatric Association notes that “anxiety attack” isn’t an official clinical term in the DSM-5, but it describes a very real experience that millions of people deal with.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent worry or dread
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Muscle tension (especially neck, shoulders, jaw)
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Increased heart rate
Anxiety attacks can last hours, days, or even weeks. The symptoms are usually less intense than a panic attack, but the constant low-level dread can be just as draining.
Panic Attacks vs Anxiety Attacks: Key Differences
| Panic Attack | Anxiety Attack | |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Sudden, no warning | Gradual, builds over time |
| Trigger | Often none | Usually tied to a specific stressor |
| Intensity | Extreme, overwhelming | Moderate to high |
| Duration | 5–20 minutes | Hours, days, or weeks |
| Physical symptoms | Severe (chest pain, can’t breathe, feel like dying) | Moderate (tension, fatigue, restlessness) |
| After it passes | Exhaustion, fear of another attack | Lingering worry, difficulty relaxing |
Both can make daily life hard. But knowing which one you’re experiencing helps you and your provider choose the right treatment path.
Why Does This Difference Matter for Treatment?
Panic attacks and anxiety attacks respond to different strategies. Getting the right diagnosis means getting the right plan.
For panic attacks, treatment often focuses on fast-acting interventions: medication that works quickly to calm the nervous system, breathing techniques to interrupt the fight-or-flight response, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reduce the fear of future attacks.
For anxiety attacks, treatment typically involves a longer-term approach: daily medication management to lower your baseline anxiety, therapy to address root causes, and lifestyle adjustments like sleep, exercise, and stress reduction.
Panic and anxiety symptoms can also overlap with other conditions like OCD, where intrusive thoughts drive compulsive behaviors that look similar to anxiety but require a different treatment approach.
In both cases, a psychiatric evaluation is the first step. It helps your provider understand exactly what’s happening so you’re not guessing at solutions.
It’s Not “Just in Your Head”
If you’ve ever been told to “just calm down” or “stop overthinking it,” you know how frustrating that is. Panic and anxiety attacks aren’t something you can willpower away. They’re your nervous system misfiring, your brain’s threat detection system activating when it doesn’t need to.
You’re not weak for experiencing them. You’re not dramatic. And you don’t need to wait until things get “bad enough” to ask for help. If these episodes are affecting your sleep, your work, your relationships, or your ability to just feel okay—that’s reason enough.
Tips for Managing Symptoms at Home
These strategies work best alongside professional treatment, but they can help when symptoms strike.
During a panic attack:
- Focus on slow, deep breaths (inhale 4 seconds, hold 4, exhale 6)
- Remind yourself the attack will pass—it always does
- Ground yourself by naming 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear
- Don’t fight the feelings; resisting often makes them worse
For ongoing anxiety:
- Cut back on caffeine and alcohol—both can worsen symptoms
- Move your body daily, even a 20-minute walk helps
- Keep a worry journal to identify patterns and triggers
- Practice a relaxation technique before bed (progressive muscle relaxation, guided breathing)
- Talk to someone you trust
When Should You See a Psychiatric Provider?
If your panic or anxiety episodes happen often, keep you from doing things you used to enjoy, interfere with work or relationships, or leave you feeling hopeless, it’s time to talk to someone.
You don’t need to have a diagnosis to reach out. A psychiatric evaluation can help you understand what you’re experiencing and what your options are.
At MindWell Psychiatric Services, we also offer genetic testing to help identify which medications are most likely to work for you, so you skip months of trial and error.
Take the First Step
Panic attacks and anxiety attacks are both treatable. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through life waiting for the next episode.
If you’re in Las Vegas, schedule an appointment with MindWell Psychiatric Services. We offer same-day availability for cash-pay patients and accept most major insurance plans.
FAQs
What's the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack?
Yes. Many people experience both. You might deal with ongoing anxiety that occasionally triggers a full panic attack. A psychiatric provider can help you manage both.
Can you have both panic attacks and anxiety attacks?
Yes. Many people experience both. You might have an underlying anxiety disorder that occasionally triggers panic attacks, or you might experience them separately. A psychiatric evaluation can help identify what’s happening.
Can medication help with panic and anxiety attacks?
Yes. Medication can be very effective for both. At MindWell, we use genetic testing to help match you with the right medication faster, combined with ongoing medication management to make sure it’s working.
Should I go to the ER for a panic attack?
If you’re unsure whether you’re having a panic attack or a heart attack, go to the ER. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, and numbness can indicate a cardiac event. Once heart problems are ruled out, follow up with a psychiatric provider for ongoing care.
How long do panic attacks last?
Most panic attacks peak within 5 to 10 minutes and resolve within 20 to 30 minutes. However, you may feel drained or anxious for hours afterward.
What triggers anxiety attacks?
Common triggers include work stress, financial worry, health concerns, relationship problems, major life changes, and trauma. Some people experience anxiety without a clear trigger, which may indicate a generalized anxiety disorder.
