Is There A Difference Between Panic Attacks And Anxiety Attacks?

It happened as I was walking home from class during college.

Seemingly out of nowhere, my heart started racing, I felt like I couldn’t breathe, and I began sweating, even though it wasn’t even hot outside. Terrified of what was happening in my body, I ran home—I legitimately thought I was going to die.

I had recently started seeing a therapist for depression and anxiety, so I called her as soon as I made it to my room. She knew exactly what was happening: I was having a panic attack.

Over the years, I learned I wasn’t alone—though some people referred to these episodes of extreme fear as “anxiety attacks,” while others called them “panic attacks.”

But are the two terms really interchangeable—or do they mean two different things, entirely?

Is there a difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks?

Let’s clear something up from the get-go: Panic attacks are a documented mental illness, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Anxiety attacks, however, aren’t officially listed in the DSM-5. “An anxiety attack is a more colloquial term,” says Dr. C. Vaile Wright, licensed psychologist and director of research and special projects at the American Psychological Association.

So, if you’re feeling something you might describe as an anxiety attack, you’re likely actually experiencing a panic attack.

So what exactly is a panic attack, then?

“A panic attack is a very sudden episode of intense fear that can come unexpectedly, and usually peaks within 10 minutes,” says Wright.

These extreme episodes occur when the body’s flight-or-flight response kicks in. “But when fight or flight kicks in when you’re not in any actual danger, like it does during a panic attack, it…can be very debilitating,” says Wright.

What causes panic attacks?

Honestly, panic attacks can be caused by a specific trigger (like a feared object or situation), or nothing at all, per the National Institute of Mental Health.

But if you develop recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, the fear of impending or frequent panic attacks, or start avoiding situations that may cause a panic attack, you may be experiencing panic disorder.

“For example, people with panic disorder may notice a symptom that is pretty benign, like increased heart rate. They interpret it as being negative, which makes them even more anxious. And from there it becomes a panic attack,” says Wright.

Can certain things make you more susceptible to panic attacks?

Panic attacks can happen to anyone, but there are a few factors that might put you especially at risk.

1. Gender
Women are twice as likely as men to experience anxiety, according to a 2016 study published in the journal Brain and Behavior. That’s because of differences in brain chemistry and hormones, as well as the way women handle stress compared to men, according to study authors.

How can you treat panic attacks?

An important reminder: You don’t have to live with these panic attacks. “I think because panic attacks can be so frightening, people can be discouraged, but there are a lot of things people can do to help manage panic attacks,” says Wright.