What are Anxiety Attacks and Panic Attacks?

An anxiety attack is a feeling of overwhelming stress or fear. For most people, it starts building up slowly and it may intensify as a stressful event approaches. Anxiety attacks can be different for everyone and they entail different symptoms such as: feeling faint or dizzy, shortness of breath, sweating, restlessness, chills or hot flashes, numbness or tingling. Anxiety attacks can also be combined with panic attacks in some instances. Panic attacks fall into two categories which are unexpected and expected. Unexpected panic attacks occur without an obvious cause and expected panic attacks occur from external stressors such as phobias. Panic attacks can happen to anyone, but if it happens more frequently it could be a sign of panic disorder. Panic attacks and anxiety attacks may feel similar because they share many emotional and physical symptoms. It can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between a panic attack and anxiety attack but it is important to note that anxiety attacks are associated with things that are stressful and panic attacks mostly occur out of the blue. Ways to help cope with these attacks can be staying where you are, focus on your breathing, try shifting your focus, or try talking to someone to help calm your nerves. Panic attacks and anxiety attacks are never easy and if you need someone to talk to please don't hesitate to reach out to us.