Anxiety vs. Panic Attacks: Understand the Difference

Life’s stresses can be overwhelming, but when those stresses get so severe that you feel anxious or panicky, your quality of life really begins to suffer. 

"Anxiety and panic are not the same," says Maggie Thompson Benton, MSN, PMHNP-BC, AGPCNP-C, board-certified psychiatry nurse practitioner with Beaufort Memorial Sea Island Psychiatry. "Understanding the difference — and getting a proper diagnosis — can help restore calm and day-to-day functioning."

Read More: Stress SOS – Calm the Chaos

What Does Anxiety Feel Like?

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition in which you may feel a chronic sense of worry and nervousness even when things in your life are relatively calm. 

"GAD can led to difficulty focusing on daily responsibilities," Benton says.  

Researchers are still studying what exactly causes GAD. They do know that the condition can be passed down in families.

What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like?

Panic attacks are sudden bursts of intense anxiety that last for several minutes at a time. If you have panic disorder, you experience periodic panic attacks that occur for no apparent reason. During these attacks, you may notice a variety of symptoms, including fear, helplessness, impending doom, shortness of breath, sweating and trembling.

Like GAD, panic disorder can be genetic and associated with how certain parts of the brain work. Researchers are still learning more about the cause of panic disorder and what environmental and situational factors may trigger panic attacks.

Both GAD and panic disorder can be treated with talk therapy, medication or a combination of the two.

Read More: Are You Getting Enough Sleep? 

Learn more about the differences between anxiety and panic in our infographic.

If you experience issues with anxiety or panic, discuss them with your primary care provider, who can offer treatment or refer you to Beaufort Memorial Sea Island Psychiatry.

Updated: April 2025