Anxiety vs. Panic: What’s the Difference?

"I’m having a panic attack!" We hear this all the time when someone is feeling incredibly stressed or overwhelmed. It’s completely normal to mix up the words "anxiety" and "panic" because, honestly, they both feel awful.

But knowing exactly what you're dealing with is the very first step to finally getting some relief. Let's break it down simply.

Anxiety: The Constant Hum Think of anxiety like a constant background hum. It’s that nagging worry in the back of your mind that just won't quit. Your brain gets stuck on the "what ifs." What if I mess up? What if something goes wrong?

In your body, anxiety feels like you're carrying a heavy, invisible backpack all day. Your shoulders ache, your stomach is tied in knots, and you might feel snappy or toss and turn all night. It is completely exhausting, but you can usually still push through your day.

Panic: The Sudden False Alarm If anxiety is a constant background hum, a panic attack is a blaring alarm going off in your body. It strikes suddenly, sometimes completely out of nowhere. You could just be sitting on the couch watching TV.

Instead of a background worry, panic is a huge wave that crashes over you. Your heart might pound out of your chest, the room might spin, and you might feel sweaty or like you can't catch your breath. It’s so scary that many people rush to the hospital thinking it's a heart attack. The scariest part usually passes in a few minutes, leaving you feeling totally wiped out.

Finding Relief Because anxiety and panic operate differently in your body, they require different therapeutic approaches. To treat the constant hum of general anxiety, therapy focuses on identifying the root causes of your worries and learning how to step back from spiraling thoughts before they take over. To treat the sudden "false alarm" of panic, we use highly targeted tools—like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and somatic grounding techniques—to rewire your nervous system and teach your body that it is safe.

If we work together in therapy, we will focus on exactly what you need to feel safe and calm again. We'll find real, practical ways to turn down the volume on that exhausting, daily worry and stop those scary false alarms in their tracks. You don't have to figure this out alone. Reach out today, and let's get you feeling like yourself again.