Panic attack disorder is a sudden, persistent, and overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety, sometimes without cause. Panic attacks typically last five to ten minutes, but can last up to two hours. After a panic attack, you'll typically experience significant fatigue. The triggers are unclear, as the disorder can appear suddenly.
Also Read: There are hundreds, here are the 15 most common types of mental disorders.
Read Also: There Are Hundreds, Here Are the 15 Most Common Types of Mental Disorders. With this condition, sufferers usually become afraid if the attack occurs when they are with other people or in a public place. The simplest prevention is to calm down.
In general, anyone can experience panic attacks. However, in people with panic disorder, symptoms occur frequently and can significantly disrupt social life.
Panic attack disorder is also often confused with anxiety disorders. However, the two are distinctly different, despite sharing some symptoms. To understand the difference, see the following explanation.
The Difference Between Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attack Disorder
Anxiety and panic attack disorders are quite common mental health conditions. Some people often mistake them for the same thing, but upon closer examination, they are distinct. There are several aspects that differentiate anxiety and panic attacks. Here's an explanation:
1. Differences Based on Definition
By definition, an anxiety disorder is a mental health condition characterized by anxiety symptoms. Therefore, its cause is clearly known and can be avoided. This is not the case with panic attack disorder.
Panic attack disorder is a feeling of fear that sometimes has no clear cause. This feeling of fear is also intense and persistent. This mental health disorder can strike anyone suddenly, even if you don't have a history of panic attacks.
Also Read: 5 Ways to Overcome Panic Attacks
2. Differences Based on Symptom Triggers
As mentioned previously, anxiety has a clear trigger or cause, such as a fear of heights, crowds, or certain animals, among others.
The duration of symptoms can vary from person to person. Some may last only a few minutes, hours, weeks, or even months. This depends on the severity of the disorder.
Triggers for panic attack disorder, on the other hand, are often unclear and can occur suddenly. In fact, some sufferers will experience stress throughout the day before a panic attack occurs.
3. Differences Based on Symptom Triggers
The similarity of symptoms between the two disorders leads many to believe they are not significantly different. For example, shortness of breath, chest pain, and other physical symptoms are common. However, anxiety has distinct symptoms not found in panic attack sufferers, including sleep disturbances and muscle pain. In panic attack disorder, the distinguishing symptoms are intense, life-threatening fear, loss of control, and depersonalization.
Complications Due to Panic Attacks
Panic attacks also cause complications with other disorders, especially those related to the sufferer's mental health. Some of these include:
- The emergence of previously unexplained phobias.
- Fear of socializing.
- Triggering new problems in social life.
- Risk of financial and drug abuse.
- Frequent depression.
- Suicidal thoughts.
Also Read: 5 Differences Between Psychologists and Psychiatrists, Which One is Better to Visit?
If you're currently experiencing panic attack disorder, seek professional care immediately from medical units like Bunda Margonda Hospital and Bunda Jakarta Women's and Children's Hospital. Also, check the doctor's schedule at nearby Bunda Group Hospitals and book your visit here. For other health concerns, visit our information page for a complete list of Bunda Group Hospital services.
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