Anxiety and panic attacks are related but have their own unique symptoms. Both conditions cause problems if the symptoms become extreme. If they do, then that’s the time to find treatment.
Anxiety is normal and is simply a reaction to stress. 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. But if anxiety becomes a fear of everyday situations, it has become a life-changing 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. A panic attack is a sudden feeling of overwhelming fear of something that cannot 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.
One out of every 75 people in the world will have a panic attack at some point in their lives. The good news is that most of these adults will never have another panic attack. However, these statistics show that panic attacks and anxiety are the most common emotional disorders, even more so than bipolar disorders, ADHD, depression, OCD schizophrenia, phobias, and alcohol abuse. In addition to this, people suffering from panic and anxiety disorders rarely go looking for help with their problem.
Of course, there are similarities between panic attacks and anxiety attacks, and anxiety attacks can lead to panic attacks. Suffer from enough anxiety and it can escalate into a panic attack. So if you begin to find yourself becoming overly anxious, it’s time to get help in bringing it under control before it gets too much to cope with.
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.
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