Anxiety and Panic Disorders: What"s The Difference?
Anxiety and panic disorders are very similar and often when you have one you also have the other.
But what's the difference between the two? They are different and have different effects on your mental health.
Even though they are different disorders, they are often treated the same and hard to distinguish from each other.
But without getting diagnosed and treatment the condition can get worse.
People who suffer from panic disorders have recurring panic attacks.
When having a panic attack you believe that whatever is causing your symptoms is real.
If you are panicking because of fear of death you believe that at any moment you might die and you have a panic attack.
This may be triggered by something as simple as a headache.
You may start with a headache and think that it could be something worse such as a stroke, brain tumor or even an aneurism.
And if you have a panic disorder you will believe that you are going to die from a headache.
People who don't suffer from anxiety and panic disorders might think that the brain process is silly, but to real sufferers it can be terrifying.
The good thing is that sufferers will go to the doctor explaining why they think they are going to die and the doctor may be able to see what is really going on.
The main difference between anxiety and panic disorders is that those with anxiety disorders do not use their medical condition to have an anxiety attack.
Anxiety does not come from a simple thought that escalates into a life or death situation - it is long-lasting and isn't specific.
The trigger to anxiety is more about general everyday life.
The stress can build up and can build into anxiety.
The anxious thoughts can overtake a person and have an effect on their life.
Anxiety can lead to a short panic attack.
But panic attacks last 5 minutes to an hour, where anxiety can last from a few days to even a few weeks or longer.
Many people who suffer from one anxiety are likely to suffer from the other, but this is not always the case.
People with anxiety disorders are usually depressed, shy and have a gloomy outlook on life.
While people with panic disorders usually are active, lively and happy, and only have a panic attack when they really believe their life is in danger.
But what's the difference between the two? They are different and have different effects on your mental health.
Even though they are different disorders, they are often treated the same and hard to distinguish from each other.
But without getting diagnosed and treatment the condition can get worse.
People who suffer from panic disorders have recurring panic attacks.
When having a panic attack you believe that whatever is causing your symptoms is real.
If you are panicking because of fear of death you believe that at any moment you might die and you have a panic attack.
This may be triggered by something as simple as a headache.
You may start with a headache and think that it could be something worse such as a stroke, brain tumor or even an aneurism.
And if you have a panic disorder you will believe that you are going to die from a headache.
People who don't suffer from anxiety and panic disorders might think that the brain process is silly, but to real sufferers it can be terrifying.
The good thing is that sufferers will go to the doctor explaining why they think they are going to die and the doctor may be able to see what is really going on.
The main difference between anxiety and panic disorders is that those with anxiety disorders do not use their medical condition to have an anxiety attack.
Anxiety does not come from a simple thought that escalates into a life or death situation - it is long-lasting and isn't specific.
The trigger to anxiety is more about general everyday life.
The stress can build up and can build into anxiety.
The anxious thoughts can overtake a person and have an effect on their life.
Anxiety can lead to a short panic attack.
But panic attacks last 5 minutes to an hour, where anxiety can last from a few days to even a few weeks or longer.
Many people who suffer from one anxiety are likely to suffer from the other, but this is not always the case.
People with anxiety disorders are usually depressed, shy and have a gloomy outlook on life.
While people with panic disorders usually are active, lively and happy, and only have a panic attack when they really believe their life is in danger.
Source...