what's the difference?

5/13/21

good morning cherubs! this week we are going to be discussing the difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks.

they can be very similar, but there is a difference. this blog post will help us figure out which one we may be experiencing.

by definition a panic attack is "a sudden feeling of acute and disabling anxiety." symptoms can include: pounding or racing heart, sweating and chills, difficultly breathing, and weakness.

and an anxiety attack is "a sudden and intense episode of fear and anxiety." symptoms can include: nervousness, restlessness, tense, feeling danger, increased heart rate, and hyperventilation.

this is a helpful depiction of the differences and similarities of both panic and anxiety attacks. while they have some similar feelings/symptoms, but there are just as many differences.

a panic or anxiety attack is not something that anyone wants to go through. and majority of the time they come at the least expected times and don't allow the individual to prepare for them.

recently, I woke up with a panic attack. for no reason, I had a sense of being so scared. my chest was very tight and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I felt disconnected and couldn't ground myself. I called my person and cried and cried and didn't know what to do. thankfully, the feeling passed after 15 minutes or so.

although these attacks of the brain aren't easy to prepare for, there are many ways to deescalate from them.

here are some of the steps to calm a panic/anxiety attack:

• ground yourself

focus on 4 things you can see, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can hear, and 1 thing you can smell.

• take steady breaths

focus on exhaling slowly and counting to 5

• get moving

go for a short walk or put on some music to dance to

• relax your muscles

find a quiet place to let go of your tension in each part of your body

• repeat a mantra

tell yourself "I can do this," "this will pass," "I am safe."

no one enjoys going through anxiety of any sort. when these feelings come out of nowhere, they are even harder to deal with. thankfully, there are medical ways to treat these symptoms and hopefully make them better.

if you or someone you know is have issues with anxiety or panic attack, please educate them and let them know that there is help you can get! talking to a doctor is the easiest way to receive the most beneficial help and then you can go from there.

I hope you guys liked this blog!

see you in the next one...

xx Loryn