Oh No! I’m Having a Panic Attack

Some of the phrases we often hear around us include:

“I have panic attacks.”
“I’m having a panic attack.”
“Oh no, I’m having a panic attack.”

After these statements, the person may experience heart palpitations, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing, and they may even experience these again in the future.

But an important question arises: Is this really a panic attack?

Here, a crucial distinction must be made because most symptoms of an anxiety attack resemble those of a panic attack. This similarity often leads people to wonder:

“What if what everyone calls a panic attack isn’t actually a panic attack?”

To answer this, we must first understand what panic attacks and anxiety attacks truly are.

What Is a Panic Attack?

A panic attack is defined as an intense, sudden, and short-lived episode accompanied by a feeling of impending doom.

Common symptoms include:

• Palpitations

• Sweating and trembling

• Shortness of breath or a choking sensation

• Chest pain

• Chills

• Nausea or stomach discomfort

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Numbness or tingling

• Feeling detached from reality (derealization)

• Fear of losing control or going crazy

• Fear of death

(Tamam & Demirkol, 2019)

These attacks often come out of nowhere, during otherwise calm, ordinary moments. They peak rapidly and, although brief, may feel endless to the person experiencing them.

What Is an Anxiety Attack?

An anxiety attack, by contrast, arises from excessive worry about an event that has occurred—or is anticipated to occur.

It is commonly described as:

• Inner restlessness

• A sense that something bad is about to happen

• Persistent tension or fear

(Tamam & Demirkol, 2019)

Unlike a panic attack, anxiety attacks are not spontaneous; they are triggered by stressful thoughts or situations. Symptoms such as dry mouth, palpitations, nausea, and dizziness may appear (Tamam & Demirkol, 2019).

In short:

• Panic attacks come suddenly and intensely, without warning.

• Anxiety attacks develop gradually, tied to identifiable worries or stressors.

Thus, what many people casually call a “panic attack” may, in reality, be an anxiety response.

Key Differences: Sequence, Intensity, and Duration

At first glance, distinguishing between panic and anxiety attacks may seem difficult because they share many physical symptoms. However, the real difference lies in timing and context:

Understanding these distinctions helps individuals better identify what they are experiencing and seek appropriate help.

Examples: Real-Life Scenarios

Example 1 — Anxiety Attack:
Person A argues with a superior at work and believes they are at fault. They worry about being fired and feel unprotected. As these thoughts intensify, their heart rate increases, breathing becomes shallow, nausea appears, and dizziness sets in.
→ This is an anxiety attack—a reaction to overwhelming worry and self-blame.

Example 2 — Panic Attack:
Person B is calmly watching television when, suddenly, their arm feels numb. Their heart races, breathing becomes erratic, and they fear they are dying of a heart attack.
→ This is a panic attack—an abrupt, untriggered surge of fear.

Conclusion: Knowing the Difference, Knowing Yourself

From all this, we can conclude that what is commonly referred to as a “panic attack” is not always truly that. Some attacks stem from intense anxiety, not spontaneous panic.

Recognizing the difference matters. Both are important emotional experiences, but they require different coping approaches and clinical attention.

Ultimately, the key lies in self-awareness.
Understanding your emotions and physiological responses helps you take control, seek the right kind of support, and navigate your experiences with compassion and clarity.

References

Tamam, L., & Demirkol, M. E. (2019). Anxiety disorders. In Mental Health and Diseases (Chapter 3). ResearchGate.