Panic and anxiety attacks- same or different?

The brain is the most important and powerful organ in the human body. It is an infinite source of power as believed by many of the Eastern world sages. Scientifically, it is the control room of the body. All our activities, emotions etc. are a result of an interpretation of a certain situation by our brain. These result in generation of electro-chemical signals which affect one’s behavior. The study of the human mind and the kind of influence it holds over a person’s behavioral patterns subject to certain situation(s) is psychology.

Two of the most common psychological disorders in the present generation are panic and anxiety attacks. Though the terms may look similar, technically they are quite different. A clear understanding of these is necessary in order to be able to designate appropriate therapy. However, these two have a few things in common, mainly the end effects and manner of expression.

Panic attacks and anxiety attacks are closely related but there exists a thin line that distinguishes both of them from one another. Both of them, however, are based on a single factor- fear. And since fear is an emotion, it is nothing but a specific set of chemicals (hormones and/or enzymes) following a determined set of reactions. However, a panic attack is usually the one that is sudden and unpredictable. The intensity is very high. One may not be able to attribute it with a particular cause. Of course, it is an effect of a person’s fright which, in case of panic attacks, may be at the unconscious or subconscious level. 

Studies have shown that these are a result of an acid-base dysregulation in the body fueled by chemosensory mechanisms, though these only speak about the cued ones. The case of unpredictable attacks still remains a mystery to the scientists. A panic attack may be situation based. For example, being caught up in a room filled with smoke and no visible exits may force the brain to go into a panic state. This is caused due to the inhalation of excess of CO2 in the room which creates an acid-base imbalance in the body that affects the respiration process. The results of these studies have also been confirmed by neuroimaging (studying the structure, function of the nervous system).

On the other hand, an anxiety attack takes time to build up. Yes, it is a gradual process. It intensifies over a period of time and is generally associated with persistent fear of “danger”. The patient usually overthinks and this leads to several problems like reduced sleep, irritability, lack of concentration etc. The probability of having an anxiety attack increases when one fixates on a thought (that may or may not be rational) and keeps worrying about danger in future. The mechanism behind both panic and anxiety attacks is more or less the same, although they are potentially two different disorders. Here we tabulate certain features of both these disorders:

These disorders are curable with appropriate therapy and medicines. However, a patient can also opt for self-help strategies which include meditation, brain training exercises, self-awareness etc. Of all, meditation can be of a huge help for persons with these kind of disorders. Meditation allows one to look within, to discover one’s true self. Scientifically speaking, it helps improve our concentration. The state of meditation withdraws the attention we otherwise pay to the external world and focuses the energy on oneself. There have been instances where meditation has proved its worth in reducing such attacks. Moreover, these attacks are primarily based on our fear. So the best way to avoid it is not to be afraid.

Written by:

Divyajyoti Biswal