grandpagrunge:

theres a huge difference btwn panic attacks and anxiety attacks. i keep seeing people use panic attack to refer to anxiety attacks and as someone who experiences panic attacks it’s just not cool to see it being marginalized in that way.

the difference is:

anxiety attack –>   people may feel fearful, apprehensive, may feel their heart racing or feel short of breath, but it’s very short lived, and when the stressor goes away, so does the anxiety attack.

panic attack –>   doesn’t come in reaction to a stressor. it’s unprovoked and unpredictable. during a panic attack the individual is seized with terror, fear, or apprehension. they may feel that they’re going to die, or lose control or have a heart attack. they have a host of physical symptoms which may include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea.

Source: Cathy Frank, M.D., Director, Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, Henry Ford Hospital