Panic Attacks Vs Panic Disorders – Discover the Difference Between Attacks and Disorders

For those suffering from anxiety attacks the first logical question in your mind would be “do I have panic disorder?” When discussing panic attacks vs. panic disorder you need to understand that an attack is a single episode while the disorder is when you get more frequent episodes in the future. As you read every word of this article you will discover the difference between individual attacks and panic disorders.

As you probably already know millions of people suffer from attacks every day. What you may not have known is that most people are unaware of the cause of their problem, believing that they have experienced a heart attack. This leads to people suffering from panic attacks for months or even years.

Repeated attacks are the leading symptom for panic disorder, but a single attack is not proof of the disorder. As a rule of thumb, if you experience more than one panic attack in a 30 day period you most likely have panic disorder.

Anxiety attacks and anxiety disorder are very similar with a few key differences. For one a panic disorder is when the attacks continue to happen frequently. The symptoms are also less intense but longer lasting.

Panic attacks vs. Panic Disorder

Attack Symptoms:

Feeling of choking
Nausea
Dizziness
Feeling detached from your surroundings
Waves of anxiety
Intense fear or paranoia
Pounding/accelerated heart rate
Shortness of breathe/hyperventilating
Fear of losing control or even dying

These symptoms usually last from 10-30 minutes and are very intense feelings.

Disorder Symptoms:

Muscle Tension
Disturbed Sleep
Dizziness
Fatigue
Restlessness
Irritability
Easily startled/high strung
Difficulty concentrating

The symptoms of anxiety disorder can last days, weeks or even months. The sensations may not be as powerful, but it slowly works at you building up towards panic attacks and leaving you feeling weary and not at all like yourself. It is unknown exactly what causes episodes, but panic disorder is directly linked to excessive worrying for long periods of time.

When discussing panic attacks vs. panic disorders the key difference is the intensity and duration of the symptoms. Attacks are intense bursts of unpleasant feelings while the disorder is associated with long lasting effects. If you suffer from these terrifying episodes they will not go away on their own. You must get help to rid yourself of general anxiety for good.

Tagged with: attacks • between • difference • Discover • Disorders • Panic

Filed under: Panic Disorder

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