Panic Attack & Panic Disorder: Are these the same?

Have you ever undergone a moment where your heart begins to race, you struggle to breathe, and your palms get all sweaty for no reason? Many people feel they are losing control of their body and mind and have sensations of fear in such situations. Is it just an anxiety trigger, or could it be something more grave? It could be the signs of a panic attack or panic disorder, which can be frightening and worsen if not treated. To know how to manage these disorders, it’s essential to understand what is a panic attack and what is a panic disorder. Read on to know more.

What is Panic Attack?

When you experience intense feelings of fear and anxiety accompanied by shortness of breath, light-headedness, dizziness, and racing heartbeat, it is called a panic attack. Panic attacks are sudden and can last from a few minutes to half an hour, but its physical as well as emotional effects can continue for a few hours.

Some symptoms of a panic attack are:

• Chills

• Trembling

• Difficulty in breathing

• Racing heart

• Sweating

• Chest pain

• Intense fear

• The fear of losing control or dying

• Hot flushes

What is Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that involves multiple unexpected panic attacks. A main feature of panic disorder is that the attacks usually happen without warning and aren’t due to another mental health or physical condition. There’s often not a specific trigger for them. Not everyone who experiences a panic attack develops panic disorder.

Panic disorder is characterized by repeated panic attacks, combined with major changes in behavior or persistent anxiety over having further attacks. If you have panic disorder, the recurrent panic attacks take an emotional toll. The memory of the intense fear and terror that you felt during the attacks can negatively impact your self-confidence and cause serious disruption to your everyday life.

Difference Between a Panic Attack & Panic Disorder

A person with ongoing, unexpected panic attacks who spends time worrying about another panic attack may have a panic disorder. People with panic disorders may be afraid of experiencing more panic attacks and live in a constant state of fear that affects the quality of their lives.

People with panic disorder have panic attacks with mental and physical symptoms. The attacks happen without warning and can last several minutes to an hour.