Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsAnxiety Attack vs. Panic AttackCausesCalming TechniquesTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Anxiety Attack vs. Panic Attack
Causes
Calming Techniques
Treatment
Anxiety attack symptoms typically include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, uncontrollable thoughts, and feelings of panic. They occur with an episode of extreme and excessive worry, discomfort, or fear, lasting anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes or longer.
An anxiety attack can be frightening, despite the absence of an actual dangerous or life-threatening situation. When you have an anxiety attack, self-care methods like deep breathing may help you feel calm. If you regularly experience anxiety attacks, your healthcare provider can recommend treatment, including medications or therapy.
What Does an Anxiety Attack Feel Like?
Anxiety attack symptoms can vary from person to person, and situation to situation. People describe a wide range of experiences and symptoms.
Symptoms of an anxiety attack can include:
Anxiety attacks symptoms in females can be more severe than they are in males, and females may be more sensitive to situations that that they perceive as threatening. Females are also around twice as likely as males to have panic disorder.
Unlike an anxiety attack, the term “panic attack” is recognized in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
An anxiety attack can be mild, moderate, or severe and can encompass any of the symptoms of anxiety. In contrast, the symptoms of a panic attack are intense and severe. They tend to come on suddenly and don’t always have a cause or trigger.
During a panic attack, you are likely to experience severe physical symptoms, extreme fear, and an impending sense of doom.
There is no hard-and-fast rule about what differentiates ananxiety attack vs. a panic attack. However, you might think of an anxiety attack as broader in nature.
Situations
Any number of situations could trigger an anxiety attack. For many people, an already stressful life situation may boil over into an anxiety attack. These situations could include:
Remember that anxiety, as an emotion, is a totally normal part of life. Major life changes can be anxiety-inducing, but a healthy level of anxiety can keep you alert and focused. However, if your day-to-day worries lead to an anxiety attack with acute symptoms, this can be incredibly distressing.
Mental Health Conditions
Anxiety attacks can also be a symptom of certain broader mental health diagnoses. In particular, anxiety and panic attacks are a feature of manyanxiety-related disorders, including:
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the United States.People diagnosed with ageneralized anxiety disorder(GAD) experience excessive anxiety and worry most days for at least six consecutive months.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can contribute to anxiety. For example:
How to Calm an Anxiety Attack
You might feel out of control while having ananxiety attack, but there are ways to take back control. Through self-care, you can reduce your stress, lessen the severity of anxiety attacks, and even prevent future anxiety attacks.
During an anxiety attack, you can try specific coping strategies to reduce the severity of the attack or stop it altogether. One way to do this is with the3-3-3 rule:
This sequence of activities can take your mind off the anxiety and help you calm down.
Some other strategies that can be helpful include:
Some self-care strategies that can help prevent anxiety attacks include:
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf you are experiencing anxiety attacks that are interfering with your daily life, or leading you to avoid previously enjoyed activities, please talk to your healthcare provider.You can contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you are experiencing anxiety attacks that are interfering with your daily life, or leading you to avoid previously enjoyed activities, please talk to your healthcare provider.You can contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
If you are experiencing anxiety attacks that are interfering with your daily life, or leading you to avoid previously enjoyed activities, please talk to your healthcare provider.
You can contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
It is important to seek treatment for anxiety attacks. Not only can ongoing anxiety attacks lead to avoidance of previously enjoyed activities or situations, but research also indicates that anxiety attacks lead to an increased risk of suicide attempts.
Thankfully, there are many effective and accessible anxiety treatments. While most of these treatments are designed for anxiety disorders, they will also be relevant and useful to people who experience anxiety attacks. This is because, for some people, anxiety attacks are a symptom of an overall anxiety disorder.
Medication
Medication is a central treatment for anxiety disorders and can help reduce symptoms for many people. Generally, your primary care healthcare provider or psychiatrist will prescribe medication for anxiety.
These medications can include:
Therapy
Anxiety attacks are also treatable through psychotherapy. Talk to your healthcare provider about referring you to a psychiatrist or therapist for your anxiety. Two types of therapy, in particular, are effective at reducing the symptoms and frequency of panic or anxiety attacks.
Summary
Anxiety attacks are episodes of extreme alarm that can cause symptoms of shortness of breath, a racing heart, and feelings of panic. An anxiety attack is not a diagnosis in and of itself, though experiencing these attacks can be part of another mental health diagnosis, including anxiety disorder.
It’s important to seek medical help for anxiety attacks. Your healthcare provider can diagnose the cause and connect you with appropriate treatment, such as medication and psychotherapy. They also may suggest self-care measures and lifestyle changes that can help.
Keep in mind that some symptoms of anxiety are similar to those found with other serious medical conditions, such as heart attacks. Your healthcare provider can help diagnose or rule out these conditions, too.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.John Hopkins Medicine.How to help someone with anxiety.Burani K, Nelson BD.Gender differences in anxiety: The mediating role of sensitivity to unpredictable threat.Int J Psychophysiol. 2020;153:127-134. doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2020.05.001American Academy of Family Physicians.Panic disorder and panic attacks.Ayers JW, Leas EC, Johnson DC, et al.Internet searches for acute anxiety during the early stages of the covid-19 pandemic.JAMA Intern Med. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.3305Grillon C, O’Connell K, Lieberman L, et al.Distinct responses to predictable and unpredictable threat in anxiety pathologies: effect of panic attack.Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging. 2017;2(7):575-581. doi:10.1016/j.bpsc.2016.08.005The American Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understanding anxiety.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.Harasymiw LA, Grosse SD, Cullen KR, Bitsko RH, Perou R, Sarafoglou K.Depressive and anxiety disorders and antidepressant prescriptions among insured children and young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the United States.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;17;14:1129584. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1129584Toledo-Chávarri A, Ramos-García V, Torres-Castaño A, et al.Framing the process in the implementation of care for people with generalized anxiety disorder in primary care: a qualitative evidence synthesis.BMC Fam Pract. 2020;21(1):237. doi:10.1186/s12875-020-01307-6.Sadeghi O, Keshteli AH, Afshar H, Esmaillzadeh A, Adibi P.Adherence to Mediterranean dietary pattern is inversely associated with depression, anxiety and psychological distress.Nutr Neurosci. 2019;0(0):1-12. doi:10.1080/1028415x.2019.1620425Kim H, Choi KW, Na EJ, et al.Anxiety attacks with or without life-threatening situations, major depressive disorder, and suicide attempt: a nationwide community sample of Korean adults.Psychiatry Res. 2018;270:257-263. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.09.050Apolinário-Hagen J, Drüge M, Fritsche L.Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and acceptance commitment therapy for anxiety disorders: Integrating traditional with digital treatment approaches.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1191:291-329. doi:10.1007/978-981-32-9705-0_17
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.John Hopkins Medicine.How to help someone with anxiety.Burani K, Nelson BD.Gender differences in anxiety: The mediating role of sensitivity to unpredictable threat.Int J Psychophysiol. 2020;153:127-134. doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2020.05.001American Academy of Family Physicians.Panic disorder and panic attacks.Ayers JW, Leas EC, Johnson DC, et al.Internet searches for acute anxiety during the early stages of the covid-19 pandemic.JAMA Intern Med. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.3305Grillon C, O’Connell K, Lieberman L, et al.Distinct responses to predictable and unpredictable threat in anxiety pathologies: effect of panic attack.Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging. 2017;2(7):575-581. doi:10.1016/j.bpsc.2016.08.005The American Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understanding anxiety.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.Harasymiw LA, Grosse SD, Cullen KR, Bitsko RH, Perou R, Sarafoglou K.Depressive and anxiety disorders and antidepressant prescriptions among insured children and young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the United States.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;17;14:1129584. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1129584Toledo-Chávarri A, Ramos-García V, Torres-Castaño A, et al.Framing the process in the implementation of care for people with generalized anxiety disorder in primary care: a qualitative evidence synthesis.BMC Fam Pract. 2020;21(1):237. doi:10.1186/s12875-020-01307-6.Sadeghi O, Keshteli AH, Afshar H, Esmaillzadeh A, Adibi P.Adherence to Mediterranean dietary pattern is inversely associated with depression, anxiety and psychological distress.Nutr Neurosci. 2019;0(0):1-12. doi:10.1080/1028415x.2019.1620425Kim H, Choi KW, Na EJ, et al.Anxiety attacks with or without life-threatening situations, major depressive disorder, and suicide attempt: a nationwide community sample of Korean adults.Psychiatry Res. 2018;270:257-263. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.09.050Apolinário-Hagen J, Drüge M, Fritsche L.Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and acceptance commitment therapy for anxiety disorders: Integrating traditional with digital treatment approaches.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1191:291-329. doi:10.1007/978-981-32-9705-0_17
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
John Hopkins Medicine.How to help someone with anxiety.Burani K, Nelson BD.Gender differences in anxiety: The mediating role of sensitivity to unpredictable threat.Int J Psychophysiol. 2020;153:127-134. doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2020.05.001American Academy of Family Physicians.Panic disorder and panic attacks.Ayers JW, Leas EC, Johnson DC, et al.Internet searches for acute anxiety during the early stages of the covid-19 pandemic.JAMA Intern Med. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.3305Grillon C, O’Connell K, Lieberman L, et al.Distinct responses to predictable and unpredictable threat in anxiety pathologies: effect of panic attack.Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging. 2017;2(7):575-581. doi:10.1016/j.bpsc.2016.08.005The American Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understanding anxiety.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.Harasymiw LA, Grosse SD, Cullen KR, Bitsko RH, Perou R, Sarafoglou K.Depressive and anxiety disorders and antidepressant prescriptions among insured children and young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the United States.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;17;14:1129584. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1129584Toledo-Chávarri A, Ramos-García V, Torres-Castaño A, et al.Framing the process in the implementation of care for people with generalized anxiety disorder in primary care: a qualitative evidence synthesis.BMC Fam Pract. 2020;21(1):237. doi:10.1186/s12875-020-01307-6.Sadeghi O, Keshteli AH, Afshar H, Esmaillzadeh A, Adibi P.Adherence to Mediterranean dietary pattern is inversely associated with depression, anxiety and psychological distress.Nutr Neurosci. 2019;0(0):1-12. doi:10.1080/1028415x.2019.1620425Kim H, Choi KW, Na EJ, et al.Anxiety attacks with or without life-threatening situations, major depressive disorder, and suicide attempt: a nationwide community sample of Korean adults.Psychiatry Res. 2018;270:257-263. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.09.050Apolinário-Hagen J, Drüge M, Fritsche L.Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and acceptance commitment therapy for anxiety disorders: Integrating traditional with digital treatment approaches.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1191:291-329. doi:10.1007/978-981-32-9705-0_17
John Hopkins Medicine.How to help someone with anxiety.
Burani K, Nelson BD.Gender differences in anxiety: The mediating role of sensitivity to unpredictable threat.Int J Psychophysiol. 2020;153:127-134. doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2020.05.001
American Academy of Family Physicians.Panic disorder and panic attacks.
Ayers JW, Leas EC, Johnson DC, et al.Internet searches for acute anxiety during the early stages of the covid-19 pandemic.JAMA Intern Med. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.3305
Grillon C, O’Connell K, Lieberman L, et al.Distinct responses to predictable and unpredictable threat in anxiety pathologies: effect of panic attack.Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging. 2017;2(7):575-581. doi:10.1016/j.bpsc.2016.08.005
The American Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Understanding anxiety.
National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.
Harasymiw LA, Grosse SD, Cullen KR, Bitsko RH, Perou R, Sarafoglou K.Depressive and anxiety disorders and antidepressant prescriptions among insured children and young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the United States.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;17;14:1129584. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1129584
Toledo-Chávarri A, Ramos-García V, Torres-Castaño A, et al.Framing the process in the implementation of care for people with generalized anxiety disorder in primary care: a qualitative evidence synthesis.BMC Fam Pract. 2020;21(1):237. doi:10.1186/s12875-020-01307-6.
Sadeghi O, Keshteli AH, Afshar H, Esmaillzadeh A, Adibi P.Adherence to Mediterranean dietary pattern is inversely associated with depression, anxiety and psychological distress.Nutr Neurosci. 2019;0(0):1-12. doi:10.1080/1028415x.2019.1620425
Kim H, Choi KW, Na EJ, et al.Anxiety attacks with or without life-threatening situations, major depressive disorder, and suicide attempt: a nationwide community sample of Korean adults.Psychiatry Res. 2018;270:257-263. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.09.050
Apolinário-Hagen J, Drüge M, Fritsche L.Cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and acceptance commitment therapy for anxiety disorders: Integrating traditional with digital treatment approaches.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1191:291-329. doi:10.1007/978-981-32-9705-0_17
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