More and more human beings are experiencing panic attacks during these changing, uncertain times.  This new generation of teens now recognize the signs of peer panic attacks and even know grounding techniques to support others.  However, few know the difference between panic attacks and panic disorder.  Here’s how to differentiate.  

Panic attacks usually occur when certain triggers spark intense emotion and lead to symptoms such as heart racing, stomach pain, rapid breathing, and dizziness.  

Some report that panic attacks feel like a heart attack, others feel like they might be dying.  In addition to physical symptoms, panic attacks usually have cognitive symptoms such as brain fog and inability to process logic.  

For those with OCD, panic attacks can occur when we are not able to do our compulsions. 

It may feel totally overwhelming to sit with our distress rather than self-soothe through familiar rituals.  

Panic disorder, on the other hand, is when panic attacks are recurrent and often unexpected.  

Many with panic disorder experience panic attacks as out-of-the-blue and, therefore, especially distressing due to unpredictability.  

For those with social anxiety, panic disorder can be even more stressful, as the fear triggering panic can be the public vulnerability of a panic attack!  

When treating anxiety or OCD, with a co-occurrence of either panic disorder or a strong history of panic attacks, our clinicians would remain cognizant of the possibility of a panic attack occurring during exposure to a fear trigger.  While never intentionally bringing a client to this panicked state, we also teach our clients not to fear it.  The flippant saying goes, “Noone ever died from a panic attack.”  

While this may seem minimizing, the truth is that sometimes we need to face our fears of panic attacks in order to push through our other fears. And trying to avoid panic attacks might lead to a hijack of our nervous system to temporarily soothe rather than more permanently heal.  

If you are experiencing panic attacks or believe you may have panic disorder, please contact Kairos Wellness Center for a complete assessment today.