Difference between panic and anxiety (was) Re: [PanicZone] Somataform Disorder
While some therapists insist that panic attacks are just a stronger type of
anxiety attack, there IS a biological difference.
Anxiety attacks are typically more cognitive in nature - they involve a
conscious response to stimuli. While that can be very uncomfortable and nerve
wracking, they most often do not trigger the sympathetic nervous system (see
below). Anxiety attacks are usually brought on though thought patterns (an
example is "stage fright"). They can last until the situation that triggered
the thought patterns has been resolved - one way or another.
Panic attacks, from my research into them, are triggered in the amygdala by a
set of stimuli *before* you even become consciously aware of those stimuli.
The amygdala then activates the sympathetic nervous system (aka the "Fight or
Flight" response). This causes some physiological changes in the body, as well
as the brain. These include: shutting down digestion, moving blood from the
core of the body to the arms and legs, causing one to feel intense feelings of
immediate danger, among others. Technically, a person can only maintain this
state for around 15 minutes (plus about 1 hour, if the adrenal glands are
activated). After that point, the sympathetic nervous system is exhausted,
though feelings of anxiety may remain long after the episode. Panic is a
conditioned response - much like a reflex (e.g. if you place your hand on a hot
surface, unknowingly, your reflexes will cause your hand to jerk away from the
heat before your conscious mind becomes aware of the situation).
The similarities are that both panic and anxiety can lead to self-isolation,
and eventually to agoraphobia. Anxiety responses, if repeatedly validated, can
become conditioned as panic reactions. Anxiety will often follow a panic
attack, given the systemic changes one causes.
HTH,
Chris
On 1/30/2011 10:38 PM, MCherry wrote:
> Okay quickly I did a fast link to this. They seem to keep changing the
> names. Part of it seems to once have been called hysterical paralysis. And
> yes, I was once diagnosed with this. Panic attacks were once anxiety
> attacks. Now they are different although I still insist on the term anxiety
> attack. There IS a clinical difference now. But I keep forgetting what it
> is. Although it seems when I am reminded of it, I suffer both. But please
> Kate, explain your definition of this new term and how it affects you. Mary
> Cherry
have a panic attack is that it will pass
whether it passes quickly or slowly
depends whether I drop the idea of it
being dangerous or not.
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