Panic Attack vs Anxiety Attack : Differences & Treatment

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Updated On:

September 3, 2025

Understanding the difference in mental health conditions can be difficult, especially when symptoms overlap. Panic attacks and anxiety attacks are often mistakenly used interchangeably.

Instead of thinking of them as the same, look at how they show up in daily life. Because knowing the differences helps get the right support. In this expert read, we will help you recognize the clear symptoms of panic or anxiety attacks. So that you find treatments (therapy: CBT, DBT, ERP, etc & medication) that address the root cause and bring relief faster.

Did you know

Panic attacks often mimic heart attacks, with chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath, leading many patients to the Emergency Room before realizing the cause is anxiety, not cardiac disease.

What Is a Panic Attack?

Panic attacks are sudden and intense episodes of anxiety, with or without a noticeable trigger. It causes cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms so severe to the point that some patients wrongly took it as a heart attack.

Types of Panic Attacks

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) characterizes panic attacks as expected or unexpected.

Expected Panic Attack

The expected panic attacks have specific triggers or external causes that can be identified. For example, a specific phobia or a stressful event like a major exam, public speaking, or more.

Unexpected Panic Attack

This kind of panic attack occurs without any specific or obvious cause. They happen even when a person is relaxed.

Common Symptoms of a Panic Attack

Common symptoms of a panic attack include:

Apprehension and worry
Intense distress
Chest pain Numbness or tingling (paresthesia)
Nausea, abdominal pain, or upset stomach
Headache
Feeling faint or dizzy Fear of dying or losing control
A sense of detachment from oneself or the world
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Accelerated heart rate
Shortness of breath
Tightness in the throat or feeling like you’re choking

Duration of Panic Attack

Panic attacks typically last for a few minutes (5 to 20 minutes). However, in some reported cases, the duration has lasted up to an hour.

Expert Insights: Building a Plan Before the Next Attack Hits

One of the hardest parts of both anxiety and panic attacks is feeling blindsided, symptoms hit, and it feels like there’s no plan.
In sessions, we help patients build a personalized “attack playbook”: what to do in the first 60–90 seconds, how to slow breathing, what to tell yourself, and when to reach out for help.
“You don’t have to wait until you ‘deserve’ help; frequent or frightening attacks are reason enough to get care.”
For many, the combination of skills (like grounding, paced breathing, and thought-challenging) plus targeted medication when needed turns attacks from “I’m losing control” into “I know what this is, and I know what to do.”
That shift alone can reduce the frequency and intensity of both anxiety and panic episodes.
“The goal isn’t to never feel anxious again, it’s to feel confident that anxiety or panic can show up without taking your whole day down with it.”

Break the Cycle of Anxiety & Panic

Relief is possible with the right care. At Capital Psychiatry Group, expert psychiatrists and psychologists provide evidence-based treatment(therapy + medication) to help you regain calm, confidence, and control in daily life.

What Is an Anxiety Attack?

“Anxiety attack” isn’t a medical term, and there is no specific diagnostic criterion for it in DSM-5-TR.

Worry, distress, and fear are some of the most common responses to any stressful situation or event. When these anxiety symptoms appear suddenly with high intensity, that is when people say it’s an anxiety attack.

Common Symptoms of an Anxiety Attack

Compared to a panic attack, the symptoms of an anxiety attack last longer, with less intensity. It is not a diagnosable medical condition. However, it aligns most closely with GAD-type worry episodes or stress responses. These are the common symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder:

Increased heart rate
Rapid breathing
Sleep disturbances
Sweating
Nervousness
Irritability
Trembling
Difficulty concentrating and more

Duration of Anxiety Attack

Anxiety attack symptoms may persist for minutes, hours, days, to even weeks with varying intensity.

The Key Differences Between Panic Attacks vs. Anxiety Attacks

This table highlights the key distinctions between panic attacks and anxiety attacks. Understanding these differences can help you recognize what you are experiencing.

Panic Attack	Anxiety Attack
DSM-5-TR defines panic attack with diagnostic criteria.	Not a DSM-defined term neither have diagnostic criteria.
Intense fear and discomfort.	Intense anxiety episodes.
Peaks quickly, even without a predictable cause.	Gradual build tied to ongoing worry/stress.
Duration is between 5–20 minutes; sometimes up to 1 hour.	Can persist longer (hours/days) with varying intensity.
Expected (clear cue) or unexpected (no trigger).	Often linked to situational stressors/ongoing worries.
Symptoms so intense that you may feel a mimic heart attack.	Many of the same physical symptoms occur during heightened anxiety.
Occur across disorders (panic disorder, phobias, etc.).	Closely aligned with anxiety states (e.g., GAD, social anxiety).

Want Quiet, Private Support for Anxiety & Panic Attacks?

Video visits with Capital Psychiatry Group let you talk through anxiety or panic in a calm, judgment-free space, no travel, no waiting room, just focused care that fits your schedule.

Red Flags That Indicate Panic Attacks

There are two main types of panic attacks (expected and unexpected). Here are the red flags that typically indicate a panic attack for both types:

Red Flags of Unexpected Panic Attack

An unexpected panic attack occurs out of the blue, and typically, there is no perceptible red flag or signs of the onset. People may get intense panic attack symptoms even while they are busy doing daily tasks such as watching TV or even doing groceries.

Red Flags of an Expected Panic Attack

Some panic attacks happen in response to specific fears or stressful situations. Others can occur more unpredictably.

These are some of the symptoms often preceded by expected panic attacks:

Increased heart rate
Avoidance
Distress about physical symptoms
Catastrophic thoughts
Shortness of breath
Hypervigilance
Panic
Anxiety
Helplessness

When Anxiety Attacks Become a Concern

In most cases, a single anxiety or panic attack does not need emergency medical care. They become a concern once they’re frequent, last longer, begin to push you to avoid everyday situations, or leave you unsure whether symptoms might be medical.

If you feel chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or thoughts of self-harm, seek urgent medical care immediately.

If self-help isn’t helping, and you want guidance, talking with a qualified clinician should be your next step. Early support can stop symptoms from becoming severe.

Expert Insights: Is This Just Anxiety… or Something Worse?”

Many people Google symptoms like racing heart, chest tightness, or “feeling disconnected” and immediately fear the worst.
Clinically, we see that both anxiety attacks and panic attacks can feel terrifying, even when they’re not dangerous to your heart or brain. What matters most is how often they happen, how long they last, and how much they’re disrupting your life, not what you call them.
“If you’re afraid to sleep, drive, or be alone because of ‘another attack,’ that’s the point to get evaluated—not the point to blame yourself.”
At Capital Psychiatry Group, we focus on ruling out medical emergencies, then explaining what’s happening in clear, simple language. Once people understand the difference between anxiety and panic, the fear of the symptoms themselves usually drops, making treatment much more effective.
“Naming what’s happening in your body is often the first step toward feeling safer in it again.

Holistic Care for Panic Attacks & Anxiety

Capital Psychiatry Group provides evidence-based care with 7+ clinics for panic and anxiety. Each of our in-clinic & virtual visits is undertaken by licensed psychologists & psychiatrists, so you can be evaluated, diagnosed, and start treatment without a delay or hurdle.

How Telepsychiatry Works (step-by-step)

Book & verify location Choose an appointment slot online or by phone. You will have to attest that you will be physically in NJ during the session (required for prescribing).
Secure video check-in You will log on via a HIPAA-compliant platform. Audio/video quality is tested, and ID is confirmed. The platform provided is end-to-end encrypted as per NJ rules.
Psychiatric evaluation The board-certified clinician will review your symptoms, the medication you are currently using, and your overall medical history to accurately evaluate and diagnose your symptoms.
Collaborative treatment plan If a mental health condition is confirmed, then your treatment options may include medication, CBT/exposure therapy, skills coaching, or lifestyle changes.
Documentation & billing A doctor’s medical note is entered into an EHR; a copy can be sent to your primary-care clinician with consent. Claims are submitted like traditional visits.
Follow-up & monitoring Short video follow-ups (e.g., every 4–6 weeks) are appointed to adjust medications and oversee therapy progress.

Attacks Starting to Control Your Life?

If you’re avoiding driving, work, school, or sleep because you fear “the next attack,” it’s time to get support instead of just coping alone. CPG offers tailored treatment for both anxiety and panic.

CPG Offers Both In-Clinic & Telehealth

If you are not comfortable with a physical visit, you can opt for online treatment for anxiety attacks and panic attacks. Below are concise, research-backed benefits of safe and online treatment:

Telepsychiatry matches in-person care on diagnostic, outcomes, and satisfaction.
Telepsychiatry saves cost, which ranges from $147.4 to $222.8 per visit (patient time + travel).
New-patient wait times are shorter via telepsychiatry; 43 days vs 67 days in person.
Telemedicine visits are completed more often than in-person; no-show 12% vs 25%.
Platforms are HIPAA-compliant, with privacy protections comparable to in-person care.
Patients avoid about 2.9 hours of driving plus 1.2 hours in-clinic saved per visit.
Internet-based CBT is equally effective as face-to-face for anxiety disorders.

Why Choose Capital Psychiatry Group

Capital Psychiatry Group provides New Jersey–based in-clinic & online psychiatric care for panic and anxiety with 7+ clinics that are private and easy to access. Our certified psychiatrists and psychologists meet with you via secure video/audio and build a plan that helps manage your symptoms effectively.

All insurance accepted
24-hour appointments
Walk-in appointments
7+ clinics in New Jersey
Medication & therapy
Evidence-based treatment
Personalized plans
Coordinated care (with your consent)
HIPAA-compliant telepsychiatry

Take the First Step : Get Help Today

Not sure if it’s “just anxiety” or any other mental health condition?

Get clarity with expert psychiatrists and psychologists through secure in-person & telepsychiatry appointments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are “panic attacks” and “anxiety attacks” the same?

No. A panic attack is a defined clinical event; “anxiety attack” is a term people use for intense anxiety.

How long does a panic attack last?

Most last 5–20 minutes, sometimes a bit longer; symptoms typically peak within minutes.

Can panic attacks happen without a trigger?

Yes. They may be expected (clear cue) or unexpected (out of the blue). Unexpected panic attacks come with a perceptible trigger.

When should I seek professional help for anxiety episodes?

In most cases, a single anxiety or panic attack does not need medical emergency, but if episodes recur, are hard to control, or you’re avoiding situations, or if you have chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, or suicidal thoughts, you should seek urgent medical care immediately.

What treatments work?

CBT/exposure-based therapies and, when appropriate, medications, which are guided by a medical professional like a psychiatrist, and supported for panic disorder and GAD.

Can online treatment be as effective as in-person?

Yes, reviews show video/online CBT can be comparable to in-person care for anxiety and panic. Although CPG also provides in-clinic anxiety & panic attacks evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment at 7+ in-clinic locations.

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Clinical Adviser:

David M Bresch, MD

Author:

Abdulrehman Virk