Kaitlyn Bruneau (Panic Attack Guide)
Kaitlyn is a psychotherapist specialising in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy who helps individuals recognise and change unhelpful patterns while fostering self-appreciation. She’s co...
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What is the difference between panic attacks and panic disorder?
While both anxiety and panic attacks can be correlated with a diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder, the existence of panic attacks does not mean that a person is going to be diagnosed with panic disorder on top of having panic attacks. To qualify for a diagnosis of panic disorder, a person must also be plagued by persistent worry about having more panic attacks or dealing with their consequences, as well as changing their behaviours to avoid situations that they think may trigger an attack.
How do panic attacks compare to anxiety attacks?
Another difference to note is between panic attacks and anxiety attacks. With panic attacks, we see the sudden onset relatively quick come down and sometimes lack of cause. However, while anxiety attacks may also feel very intense, they will differ in a few ways. Anxiety attacks are often linked to intense moments of stress, and the symptoms will develop more gradually over time and can last even longer. The symptoms of an anxiety attack are also more likely to be linked to worry and stress, and less of the fear and physical symptoms of a panic attack.
What causes panic attacks?
Panic attacks can be caused by a few different things. First, there may be a genetic predisposition or family history of panic attacks. Next, a diagnosis of an anxiety or mood disorder can also mean that you are more likely to experience a panic attack. Lastly, panic attacks have been found to be correlated with traumatic events from childhood. As far as what triggers a panic attack in the moment, one major factor of panic attacks is that there is not one specific cause. It's often correlated with fear, but sometimes there can be no obvious precursor.