Panic Attack vs. Anxiety Attack: How to Tell the Difference
Have you ever felt your heart race, your breath get tight, or your thoughts spiral out of control?
You might wonder...
“Was that a panic attack? Or just anxiety?”
Let’s clear that up.
What Is an Anxiety Attack?
Anxiety usually builds slowly. It can creep in over hours, even days.
It might start with racing thoughts, a tight chest, or just that constant feeling like something’s “off.”
You might notice:
You’re overthinking everything
Your body feels tense
You’re jumpy or restless
You can’t fall asleep or stay asleep
You feel shaky or nauseous
You can still function. Go to work, show up, smile. But it’s draining.
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack comes fast.
You might be fine one minute, and the next, it hits like a wave.
You might suddenly feel:
A pounding heart or chest pain
Like you can’t breathe
Dizzy, tingly, or disconnected
Like something terrible is about to happen
Like you’re dying or “going crazy”
Even if it only lasts 10–20 minutes, it can feel overwhelming and leave you wiped out for hours after.
What’s the Difference Between a Panic Attack and an Anxiety Attack?
Here’s a simple way to understand it:
| What You Feel | Anxiety Attack | Panic Attack |
|---|---|---|
| How it starts | Builds over time | Hits suddenly |
| How long it lasts | Hours or more | 10–30 minutes |
| Cause | Usually triggered by stress | May happen with no clear cause |
| Physical symptoms | Tension, restlessness, fatigue | Chest pain, dizziness, fear |
| Thoughts | Worry, overthinking | Fear of dying, losing control |
Can You Have Panic and Anxiety Attacks at the Same Time?
Yes!
Sometimes, ongoing anxiety builds up so much that your body responds with a panic attack. Other times, panic seems to come out of nowhere.
If this happens to you, it doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you.
It literally just means your nervous system is overwhelmed. It is trying to protect you the best way it knows how.
How Anxiety Therapy Helps
When you don’t understand what’s happening in your body, it’s easy to feel out of control.
That’s where therapy comes in.
At Think Feel Talk Therapy, we offer anxiety therapy in Plymouth, MI that’s grounded, trauma-informed, and completely personalised.
Here’s what we help you do:
Understand your symptoms, instead of fearing them
Learn how to calm your body in the moment
Build simple tools that work when anxiety shows up
Feel safer in your body and in your life again
You don’t need to “power through” or wait for things to get worse.
Take a Breath. You’re Not Broken.
If any part of this felt familiar, pause for a second.
You’re not being dramatic.
You’re not “too sensitive.”
You’re not overreacting.
You’re feeling something your body has learned to protect you from. And that means you can learn a new way to respond, with help.
FAQ: Panic Attacks vs. Anxiety Attacks
Q: How do I know if it’s panic or anxiety?
If the fear hit suddenly, felt physical and intense, and left you feeling out of control, it was likely a panic attack. If it built gradually and felt more like worry or dread, it was likely anxiety.
Q: Is one worse than the other?
Both are hard in different ways. Panic is more intense in the short term. Anxiety can last longer and wear you down. Both are valid and treatable.
Q: Should I get help if I’ve only had one panic attack?
Yes. Even one is your body telling you it’s overwhelmed. Therapy helps you feel safe and prevents more in the future.
Q: What type of therapy helps?
We offer anxiety therapy in Plymouth, MI that supports both panic and anxiety symptoms. It’s gentle, body-based, and tailored to what you need most.
Ready to feel calmer and more in control?
At Think Feel Talk Therapy, we specialise in anxiety therapy that helps you manage stress and find balance again.
We serve Plymouth, MI and nearby areas including Northville, Canton, Livonia, Novi, and Ann Arbour.
You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s start small. One session. One step. One calmer breath.