EP 68 Panic Attacks and Panic Disorders
You might hear the terms "anxiety attack" and "panic attack" used interchangeably, as if they mean the same thing. This is understandable given that some of the symptoms of panic attacks and anxiety are similar, including a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and dizziness. In practice, however, panic and anxiety have different features, and behavioral health professionals use these terms for specific symptoms and disorders. Panic attacks are an abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort accompanied by other physical and mental symptoms.1 Anxiety, on the other hand, is part of the emotional and protective responses hardwired into the human body. It is when anxiety is excessive or gets in the way of your life that there is cause for concern.
