Vassilia Binensztok, PhD, LMHC, NCCPeople often use the terms anxiety and panic interchangeably but, while they are related to each other, they show up in different ways. Simply put, anxiety is centered more around our thoughts and physical and emotional reactions to them while panic is a largely a physical, nervous-system response. Anxious thoughts can trigger panic and panic can add to overall anxiety, in a furious interplay.Symptoms of anxiety and panicAnxiety SymptomsChronic worryIrrational fearsIrritability/ feeling on edgeHypervigilanceDifficulty concentrating/metal fogFatigueInsomniaRacing thoughtsIntrusive thoughtsInability to control worryOverthinking situations in negative waysSense of impending doomPhysical symptoms: stomachaches, muscle tension, lump in throat, nauseaPanic SymptomsRacing heartFeeling weak or faintFeeling dizzyOverwhelming fearSense of impending doomFeeling like you are going to dieFeeling like you are losing your mindSweating/chillsTremblingShortness of breathFeeling out of controlFeeling of chokingTunnel visionFeeling disconnected from one’s bodyHow anxiety and panic are similarAnxiety and panic both affect our nervous systems to varying degrees. They cause us to feel out of control of our thoughts and to experience strange physical symptoms. Both experiences can feel crippling in the moment and cause us to want to avoid people, places, and situations. We start to change our lives around to accommodate the anxiety and panic, in order to try to control the discomfort. In this way, we end up being controlled ourselves when we compromise our lives instead of living life how we want.How anxiety and panic are differentAnxiety is primarily characterized by worry and anxious thoughts. Anxiety tends to be continuous though it can fluctuate in intensity. Usually, people with anxiety experience worry and negative thoughts that are present most of the time, with surges in more intense anxiety fears when triggered by thoughts or outside events. For example, someone can worry about various things in their life, including their job and relationships. They might find themselves consumed with worrisome thoughts most days and then experience surges of increased anxiety if they get bad news or have an argument with a loved one.Panic can induce frightening thoughts of losing control or going crazy, but is primarily a physical experience. While anxiety can produce physical symptoms, panic is an experience that triggers our nervous system into fight-or-flight mode, producing many scary physical sensations. Additionally, panic usually occurs in bouts called panic attacks. Panic attacks are periods of extreme discomfort and fear, including the symptoms listed above. Panic attacks can vary in severity and duration but typically do not last longer than a few hours, whereas anxiety is constantly present.How anxiety and panic affect each otherPeople can have any of the following experiences:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder cooccurring with Panic Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder with panic symptoms
- Anxiety symptoms with panic symptoms
- Anxiety that triggers panic attacks
- Panic Disorder with anxiety symptoms
- Anxiety about having panic attacks
Regardless of how we experience anxiety and panic, both can be treated with various techniques. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Existential Therapy are all effective psychotherapy approaches for anxiety and panic. Anxiety therapy can also include processing traumatic events, learning to calm the nervous system, exposure to feared objects, and finding one’s purpose and values.If you are ready to get rid of your anxiety and panic for good and need an anxiety therapist in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, or West Palm Beach, call me for a complimentary consultation. Take the first step to beat your anxiety and panic!
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