Do I have A Panic or Anxiety Attack Right Now

Do I have a panic or anxiety attack right now? The two are different, but the terms are frequently used interchangeably. Anxiety symptoms include excessive pondering and feelings of illogical fear and worry. A panic disorder is indicated by episodes of panic attacks accompanied by physical symptoms. As opposed to this, anxiety can cause quicker heartbeats, dizziness, and shortness of breath. However, there are important differences between panic disorder and anxiety.

In this post, we’ll talk about generalized anxiety disorder versus panic disorder, different forms of anxiety, symptoms, how to treat anxiety and panic attacks, and more. Let’s begin.

 What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is your body’s normal reaction to stress. It is an overwhelming sense of dread or fears about the future. Some people could have anxiety and worry before a speech on the first day of class or a job interview.

But, if your symptoms are severe and continuous for at least six months, you may have an anxiety disorder. You can also take up an online anxiety quiz to find out more if you are suffering from anxiety.

There are five main categories for anxiety disorders:

Anxiety Disorder of Generalized Nature

Constant anxiety, heightened worry, and tension—even without a trigger—are characteristics of a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Recurrent, unwanted thoughts or repetitive activities define the anxiety disorder obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To stop or drop obsessive thinking, repetitive actions like hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are carried out. However, engaging in these alleged “rituals” only reduces anxiety. While refraining from engaging in them increases it.

Disorder of compulsive behavior (OCD)

Anxiety disorder obsessive-compulsive disorder is defined by recurrent, unwanted thoughts or repetitive behaviors (OCD). Repetitive tasks like hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are performed to halt or drop excessive thinking. Nevertheless, partaking in these purported “rituals” minimizes anxiety. While refraining from them makes it stronger.

Fear Disorder

Physical symptoms followed by intermittent, acute terror episodes are the hallmark of anxiety disorders like panic disorder. For instance, chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, nausea, and stomach discomfort.

Social phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)

Social phobia or social anxiety disorder is a form of anxiety disorder. Extreme self-consciousness and crippling anxiety in common social situations are its defining characteristics. When social anxiety is at its worst, a person may constantly feel symptoms while they are with others. Fear of speaking in formal or informal settings, eating or drinking in public, and speaking in front of people are a few circumstances where social phobia may manifest.

 Disorders of Anxiety: Symptoms

The following list of symptoms and indicators of anxiety:

– Experiencing anxiety, restlessness, or tension as well as a sense of danger, dread, or calamity

– Having a faster heartbeat

– Breaths quickly (hyperventilation)

– Sweating

– Trembling

[- Having trouble focusing or thinking about anything other than the current situation]

– Having issues falling asleep

[-Having digestive system (GI) issues]

– Having trouble managing worry

– A need to avoid situations that make you nervous

  Panic disorder: What is it?

So panic disorder is a subtype of anxiety disorder marked by recurrent, unplanned panic or dread attacks. Panic or anxiety is universal. It’s a typical response to uncomfortable or dangerous situations.

The signs of panic disorder

One characteristic of panic disorder is recurrent panic attacks. Although it lasts considerably less than an anxiety attack, a panic attack is significantly more potent and severe. The physical signs also last a few minutes to an hour. Some indicators of panic disorder include these:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Chest Discomfort or Agony
• Either Cold or Hot Flashes
• Excessive Perspiration
• Choking Sensations
• The Fear of Dying
• Uncontrollable Trepidation
• Feeling Lightheaded or Unstable
• Emotions of Derealization or a Sense of Being Cut Off From Oneself (Depersonalization)
• Palpitations, a Pounding Heart, or an Elevated Heart Rate
• Vomiting or Stomach Pain
• Feelings of Numbness and Tingling (Paresthesia)
• The feeling of Suffocation or Shortness of Breath
• Shaking or Tremblingeath or smothering
• Trembling or shaking

 Anxiety Attack vs. Panic Attack

If you’ve heard of either anxiety or panic episodes, what makes them different? Do panic attacks and anxiety have a connection? These are, in a nutshell, two distinct circumstances. Here we talk about the difference between anxiety and panic attacks.

Anxiety Attack

There is a known cause of anxiety attacks. Examples include worrying about an upcoming examination, work difficulties, health difficulties, or a problematic relationship.

It is believed that anxiety episodes are not a diagnosable mental illness.

Anxiety attacks are less intense than panic attacks.

These attacks only take place when a person is anxious.

Physical symptoms like “knots in the stomach” or a racing heart are involved.

Panic Attack

There is no known cause of panic attacks.

These might indicate panic disorder, a condition that is treatable and can be identified.

The signs of a panic attack might be very uncomfortable.

These take place when a person is at ease or anxious.

Intense anxiety-related physical sensations and feelings brought on by panic

 What Constitutes an Important Diagnosis?

A diagnosis is the first step in getting well. Your understanding of the nature of your mental illness will influence the course of treatment as each anxiety problem is addressed differently. Moreover, no two treatments are ever identical to one another. Even though many diseases are relatively curable, less than half of people with anxiety problems seek counseling.

 Panic attacks and anxiety treatment

Despite the complexity of anxiety and panic disorders, they can be successfully treated with professional guidance. Anxiety disorders can be treated with medication, psychotherapies, or a combination. Panic disorders can intensify and possibly become chronic if untreated. You should discuss panic attacks with your doctor since they can induce specific physical symptoms that should be ruled out before assuming serious medical concerns like heart disease.

Can GAD and panic attacks linger for a long time?

Panic episodes often last five to twenty minutes. Yet, some people have reported having an episode that lasted an hour. Conversely, GAD lasts long and is characterized by recurrent, unforeseen panic or dread attacks.

 Treatment for panic disorder

By reducing the intensity and frequency of your panic episodes, therapy can enable you to lead a more active daily life. The two primary treatment modalities are medication and psychotherapy. Your choices, past experiences, and other elements will all influence how severe your panic condition is. One or both forms of treatment may be recommended if you have access to therapists with specialized training in treating panic disorders.

Psychotherapy

One of the most efficient first-line treatments for panic attacks and associated problems is psychotherapy, or “talk therapy.” You can acquire stress management techniques for disorders and panic attacks during psychotherapy.

 Participating in cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy will help you understand this lesson. Attacks of panic are harmless. Also, your therapist will assist you in frequently recreating panic attack symptoms in a secure environment. Attacks start to lessen as soon as the overt signs of terror stop feeling dangerous. Additionally, if you receive effective treatment, you can overcome situations you avoided because of your fear of them.

 Witnessing the effects of the treatment could take some time and effort. You can notice a reduction in panic attack symptoms for a few weeks, and within a few months, symptoms are typically much diminished or gone altogether. You can also schedule irregular follow-up consultations to assist in managing recurrences or keep your panic attacks under control.

 Medications for panic disorder

 Inhibitors of selective serotonin reuptake (SSRIs).

SSRI antidepressants are typically advised as the first treatment for panic attacks due to their high degree of safety and low risk of major adverse effects. Symptoms of a panic attack no longer feels dangerous. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil and Pexeva), and sertraline as SSRIs for the treatment of the panic disorder (Zoloft).

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and norepinephrine agonists (SNRIs). 

These drugs fall into a different classes of antidepressants. The SNRI venlafaxine (Effexor XR), which treats panic disorder, has FDA approval.

 Benzodiazepines.

These tranquilizers inhibit the central nervous system. Clonazepam and alprazolam (Xanax), two benzodiazepines, have been licensed by the FDA as therapies for panic disorder (Klonopin). Because it tends to cause habit formation and the development of mental or physical reliance, benzodiazepines are typically only administered temporarily. Also, if you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse, these drugs are not suited for you. If they interact poorly with other medicines, they might cause serious side effects.

 If one prescription isn’t working well, your doctor may advise switching to a different medication or mixing a few to boost efficacy. Remember that symptoms may not subside for a few weeks after starting a medication.

Also, all medications have the potential to have negative side effects, and some may not be recommended under certain conditions, such as pregnancy. It would help if you discussed the risks and likely side effects with your doctor.

  Generalized Anxiety disorder treatment

 Treatment

How severely a generalized anxiety disorder affects your ability to function in daily life will dictate how you are treated. The two most popular treatments for generalized anxiety disorder are medication and psychotherapy. You can also find that the two complement each other the best. Finding the optimal treatments for you could take some trial and error.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, usually referred to as talk therapy or psychological counseling, aims to lessen your sensations of anxiety. The most effective psychotherapy for treating generalized anxiety disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy.

 The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy, which is frequently a short-term treatment, is to support you as you gradually resume the activities you avoided out of fear while teaching you specific techniques to control your anxieties. Also, continuing after your first success, this process helps your symptoms. 

Medications

In addition to others, the following medications are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder. Review the benefits, drawbacks, and side effects with your doctor. 

Antidepressants. Antidepressants. The first-line pharmacological therapy for depression includes drugs from the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) categories.

Buspirone. An anti-anxiety medication that can be taken constantly is buspirone. It can take a few weeks to start working well, like most antidepressants.

Benzodiazepines. Your doctor might suggest using a benzodiazepine to treat your anxiety in certain situations. These sedatives are frequently only used to relieve acute anxiety temporarily. Also, because these medicines have the potential to develop into habits, you shouldn’t use them if you now struggle with alcohol or drug misuse or have ever done so.

Conclusion (Generalised Anxiety Vs. Panic Disorder)

In conclusion, this blog post covered the symptoms, differences between generalized anxiety and panic disorder, and treatment options. The effects of panic disorder and GAD symptoms can be detrimental to a person’s everyday functioning and quality of life. The good news is that most people with panic disorder or GAD can significantly reduce their symptoms with expert therapy. It is ideal if a diagnosis is made and treatment begins right away. See a medical practitioner if you have panic disorder, GAD, or both symptoms. Reaching out can be difficult, but you’ll be pleased you did. I believe all of your questions concern panic disorder vs. generalized anxiety disorder. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Does GAD include panic disorder?

One of several anxiety disorders, including panic disorder (both with and without agoraphobia), post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, specific phobias (such as a fear of spiders), and acute stress disorder, is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). 

Q2.Does GAD have a non-medication treatment option? 

The even better news is that many individuals respond favorably to anxiety treatment without using drugs. People discover that dietary adjustments and natural treatments can frequently completely control their disease or at least help it.