Understanding Anxiety vs. Panic Disorder — When Worry Becomes Overwhelming

By Angels Psychiatry | Bothell, WA
Compassionate Care for Mind and Body

The Fine Line Between Worry and Panic

Everyone worries sometimes — about work, family, or the future. That’s normal. But when worry takes over your thoughts, keeps you up at night, or makes your heart race for no clear reason, it may be more than everyday stress.
You might be dealing with anxiety or panic disorder — two related but different conditions. Understanding the difference helps you know when to seek help.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

People with GAD experience constant, excessive worry about things like health, money, or relationships. The worry often feels impossible to control.

Common symptoms include:

• Feeling tense, nervous, or “on edge”
• Restlessness or fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Muscle tension or body aches
• Irritability or overthinking

Anxiety can feel like background noise in your mind that never stops.

What Is Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder involves sudden, intense episodes of fear called panic attacks. These attacks can come out of nowhere and feel terrifying — as if you’re losing control, having a heart attack, or even dying.
A panic attack peaks within 10 minutes and may last up to 30 minutes. People often become afraid of having another one, which can lead to avoidance of certain places or situations.

Common symptoms

• Rapid heartbeat or chest tightness
• Shortness of breath or choking feeling
• Sweating, trembling, or dizziness
• Hot flashes or chills
• Feeling detached or “going crazy”
• Fear of dying

Unlike anxiety, panic disorder comes in short, powerful bursts.

Anxiety vs. Panic Disorder — Key Differences

Feature	Anxiety Disorder	Panic Disorder
Nature	Ongoing worry and tension	Sudden, intense fear
Onset	Gradual	Sudden and unpredictable
Duration	Long-term	Short bursts (minutes)
Physical Signs	Muscle tension, fatigue	Heart pounding, breathlessness
Triggers	Often clear	Often none
Feeling	Constant unease	Intense terror

In short: Anxiety feels like a slow burn. Panic feels like lightning.

Why Do These Conditions Happen?

Both disorders can develop from a mix of:

• Biological factors: Brain chemistry, genetics, overactive fear centers
• Psychological factors: Trauma, perfectionism, or chronic stress
• Environmental factors: Major life events, lack of sleep, too much caffeine, or substance use

How It Feels

Someone with anxiety might think:

“What if something goes wrong today?”
Someone with panic disorder might suddenly feel:
“I can’t breathe. My heart’s racing. I’m dying.”
Both experiences are real — and both deserve care.

When to Seek Professional Help

Reach out to a mental health professional if:

• Worry or fear affects work, school, or relationships
• You’ve had repeated panic attacks
• You avoid social situations or travel
• You feel constantly on alert or out of control

Early treatment can prevent the symptoms from worsening.

How Professionals Diagnose Anxiety and Panic

A psychiatrist or therapist may:

• Talk through your symptoms and life stressors
• Use simple screening tools (like GAD-7 or Panic Disorder Scale)
• Rule out medical causes such as thyroid or heart problems
• You feel constantly on alert or out of control

This helps ensure the right diagnosis — and the right treatment plan.

Treatments

1. Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the gold standard for both anxiety and panic.
It teaches you to:

• Recognize and challenge unhelpful thoughts
• Manage body sensations
• Face fears safely

2. Medication

Depending on the case, doctors may prescribe:

• SSRIs or SNRIs for long-term symptom control
• Benzodiazepines for short-term relief
• Beta-blockers to ease racing heart or tremors

Medication works best when combined with therapy.

3. Mind-Body Approaches

• Deep breathing
• Meditation or mindfulness
• Yoga or stretching
• Grounding exercises (like focusing on what you see, hear, and feel)

4. Lifestyle Habits

• Get 7–8 hours of sleep
• Limit caffeine and alcohol
• Exercise regularly
• Stay socially connected

Coping Tools You Can Try at Home

• Worry journal: Write down anxious thoughts and challenge them.
• 5-4-3-2-1 grounding: Notice 5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.
• Slow breathing: Inhale 4 counts, hold 4, exhale 6.
• Stay connected: Talk to friends or family — don’t isolate.

Small daily steps can make a big difference.

Supporting a Loved One

If someone you care about struggles with anxiety or panic:

• Listen with patience and kindness
• Avoid saying “just relax” or “you’re overreacting”
• Encourage them to seek help
• Be consistent and supportive — recovery takes time

The Path to Healing

Healing doesn’t mean you never feel anxious again. It means you regain control and learn tools to manage your mind and body with confidence.

With the right care, people can calm their thoughts, prevent panic attacks, and live peaceful, fulfilling lives.

Conclusion: When Worry Feels Too Heavy

Anxiety and panic are two sides of the same coin — both rooted in fear. Anxiety whispers “what if…”, while panic screams “I’m in danger!”

If worry or panic feels too heavy to handle alone, reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

At Angels Psychiatry, we’re here to help you find calm again — one breath, one thought, one day at a time.

💬 Ready to take the first step?

Schedule an appointment today.

📍 Serving Bothell, WA, and surrounding areas — in-person and online. Request an Appointment →

Tags: Anxiety Treatment Bothell WA, Panic Disorder Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Anxiety Medication, Telepsychiatry Washington