It’s not uncommon to experience anxiety, and it’s helpful to understand the causes and symptoms of an anxiety attack vs. a panic attack. For instance, an anxiety attack may be more likely to manifest in anticipatory worries and fears of a situation or event, while a panic attack is often accompanied by a sudden and intense sense of fear or dread. Knowing the difference between these two conditions can help individuals seeking treatment for anxiety get the most appropriate care.

Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® provides mental health services to young men between 14 and 17 years old. Located on a 94-acre campus in Ellenboro, NC, the center focuses on helping clients find the source of their mental health conditions and overcome them. The serene setting of a working horse farm promotes reflection and healing for our guests.

Learn more about teen anxiety treatment by calling us at 828.519.5047 today. We can help your teen learn to manage their anxiety and learn the difference between panic attacks vs. anxiety attacks.

Anxiety Attack vs. Panic Attack

Adolescents who have repeated attacks should seek an evaluation from a licensed mental health professional. Panic attacks occur in those with depression, panic disorder, and other anxiety-related illnesses. An anxiety attack vs. panic attack may look the same if you don’t know the causes. Panic attacks bring more intense reactions and physical symptoms.

To determine whether you or a loved one had an anxiety attack vs. panic attack, consider what triggered it and the length of the attack. Anxiety attacks usually follow a stressor, whereas panic attacks are unpredictable and unprovoked. Moreover, anxiety attacks end quickly once you remove the stressor. People who experience panic attacks exhibit anxious feelings before the attack.

Anxiety Attack Symptoms

Anxiety attacks build up over time. The emotional symptoms of an anxiety attack may include:

• Worry and apprehension
• Restlessness
• Sleep problems
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability

You may experience these physical symptoms:

• Change in heart rate
• Tension in the head and neck
• Headache
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking

Each person is different so it is important to talk to your doctor about your particular symptoms.

Panic Attack Symptoms

Panic attacks happen quickly, often within 10 minutes of the stress trigger. One of the differences between an anxiety attack vs. panic attack involves intensity. Panic attacks are very intense periods of fear that may include the following symptoms:

• Sweating
• Trembling
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden overwhelming fear
• Palpitations
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Sense of choking
• Chills and hot flushes
• Dizziness
• Fear of dying
• Numbness or tingling

Stressful life events, such as the sudden death of a family member, trauma, or chronic health condition, can trigger a panic attack. You can actually have a panic attack and an anxiety attack at the same time. Anxiety represents worrying about something over a long period of time, which can take a toll on your body and mind. Panic attacks are severe physical reactions to anxiety that can happen quite suddenly.

At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery®, we look for symptoms such as these to help us determine the best treatment options for our clients. Anxiety often co-occurs with other mental health conditions that you can work toward overcoming during your time with us.

What Causes an Attack?

A teen who suffers from a panic or anxiety attack can tell you that nothing has to trigger it. Sometimes these attacks can come on without warning and then disappear as fast as they came. However, some underlying factor is generally connected to the attack. Some of the most common causes of attacks include:

• A tremendous amount of stress at work or school
• Problems in your relationships
• Nicotine, caffeine, drug, or alcohol addiction
• Body chemistry or chemical imbalance
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Phobias or high level of real or perceived fear

When these causes are present, it’s important to consider professional treatment before your son’s mental condition spirals downward.

Substance Abuse and Anxiety

Instead of seeking help, teens often turn to drugs and alcohol to numb the fear and pain their anxiety disorder brings about. By addressing the root causes, therapists accelerate your recovery and set you up for a stronger likelihood of a life free from drugs and alcohol. Anxiety and substance misuse usually go hand in hand because the consequences of anxiety disorder can be especially challenging. When faced with so many obstacles, it may feel like the only solution is to rely on drugs or alcohol to cope. The effects of substance misuse can be long-lasting and have serious consequences for your physical and mental health.

Substance misuse can make anxiety symptoms worse in the long run as it affects your brain chemistry. This is because the chemicals found in drugs and alcohol act on the same systems that regulate anxiety. These substances can increase your risk of developing more severe symptoms, as well as an increased risk of developing depression In addition, drug and alcohol abuse can also make it difficult to concentrate, and this can interfere with your ability to work or participate in everyday activities.

Get the Help Your Teenaged Son Needs at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery®

Dual diagnosis treatment is available for both anxiety and panic attacks. You can meet with a therapist to discuss dual diagnosis treatment for both anxiety and drug or alcohol addiction. By getting the right treatment, your teen can address both issues and overcome the symptoms. To find out more about what treatment is available for panic attacks and anxiety attacks, call Foothills at Red Oak® at 828.519.5047 or use our online contact form.