Panic Attacks and Anxiety
Although panic attacks and anxiety can be related to each other, they can also be completely separate entities with their own set of symptoms. Either of these conditions can become problematic if the symptoms escalate beyond the normal range. It is at this point, that treatment will need to be sought.
Anxiety is a reaction to stress, and this is considered to be normal. It is something that can help someone deal with tense situations in different areas of one’s life, such as at work, school, or just something that requires facing a crowd of people. If anxiety starts to become an excessive and irrational dread of facing everyday situations, it has crossed into the area of a disabling disorder.
Panic attacks and anxiety differ in the fact that, while anxiety usually builds to a point, panic attacks can hit at any time with no warning. Unlike anxiety, a panic attack is an irrational fear of something that can’t be named. There is rarely any obvious reason for the feelings of panic, and is much more intense than the feelings of anxiety or being overly stressed.
At some point in their lives, 1 in 75 people will suffer from a panic attack. The good news is that most of these adults will never have another panic attack. But statistics show that anxiety attacks and panic attacks are far more common than other emotional discovers like ADHD, OCD, depression, phobias, and schizophrenia. In addition to this, people suffering from panic and anxiety disorders rarely go looking for help with their problem.
There are some similarities between the two disorders as well as the fact that anxiety can lead to panic attacks. If you experience enough anxiety about something, it can easily become serious and intense enough to work into a full blown panic attack. This is why if you notice yourself starting to be overly anxious about something, or just life in general, it is time to seek help in getting it under control before it becomes too much for you to handle.
Anxiety and panic attacks are unpleasant and can be devastating. But people who suffer from anxiety or panic attacks can take some comfort in knowing there is help around to lead a regular life. They simply need to ask.