Panic Attack or Anxiety Attack?

I'm trying to figure out if i'm having panic attacks or anxiety attacks? There are times I really frustrated or upset and then something little will set me off and i'll start crying and can't stop and last time this happened I cried for over an hour. And when I cry so much that i'll make myself cough. I'll also have pain on the lower sides of my stomach a little above my hip bones and sometimes the pain will be in the middle of my chest kind of the middle area as well as around my ribs on the upper sides under my armpits. Any ideas what this could be?

[deborah27]

Sounds like anxiety. Panic, or a panic attack usually peaks and subsides, is extremely frightening and there are multiple physical symptoms. Anxiety or feelings of being anxious does cause physical sensations too, like you describe. Breathing properly is so important, something we take for granted. Both states are really unpleasant, the good news is that even a severe panic attack does no longterm physical harm. You say that you become frustrated and cry. Can you talk about it? It may help.

[Hidden in reply to deborah27]

I just got upset and ran up and slammed my door and wanted to throw/ rip things off my desk and walls

[deborah27 in reply to Hidden]

Why?

[Hidden in reply to deborah27]

I'm not sure just frustrated I guess

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

So panic attacks wouldn't last as long as an hour? Because I heard panic attacks last longer usually?

[BlueSky125 in reply to Hidden]

The signs and symptoms of a panic attack develop abruptly and usually reach their peak within 10 minutes. They rarely last more than an hour, with most ending within 20 to 30 minutes

[Hidden in reply to BlueSky125]

And anxiety attacks last longer?

[Hidden in reply to BlueSky125]

Because I already had been frustrated then something just made me that much more frustrated and that's when I went into my room, slammed my door, almost threw everything off my desk, and started crying. And when I was crying I was crying so hard that I kept making myself cough and couldn't stop and I kept crying for an hour.

[BlueSky125 in reply to Hidden]

The only distinction I would make between the two would be that with a panic attack you could have a fear of dying or losing control. Both would be for a limited period of time. Crying could be a symptom of depression or being under a lot of stress.

[Jan5578 in reply to BlueSky125]

I agree. I’ve had a few panic attacks. They are very scary and your body real does feel things that make you feel like you are dying. Chest pain, dizziness etc. I was finally able to recognize when they were starting. It’s not easy at first, but I would just remind myself what was happening. That I wasn’t dying. Over time, I am able to keep them at bay.

What I really still struggle with is what you call anxiety attacks. I get it! It’s not so much “physical” symptoms but for me just overwhelming feeling of fear.

[Redheaded]

I'd say see your Dr. !! S/he can assess your physical condition and say if there's a underlying reason for your pain.

When I'm in the middle of a panic attack, I feel like I can't breathe. I know I'm physically ok, I can speak, but it's scary as hell.

[Headspace2014]

There's a lot of good advice here that I won't repeat. I'll just add this and you take it for what it's worth:

I have both anxiety disorder and panic disorder, as well. I've had it for 6 years now. What I have found is that with an anxiety attack, I know why I'm freaked out, but my mind and body greatly overreacts. Sometimes it comes and goes quickly, sometimes it grinds me down all day. But I know what it's about.

With panic attacks, I am really not sure what it is that I am afraid of and so physically and mentally off the rails. It just hits me out of nowhere, sometimes upon waking, even. I don't know what's scaring me, unless, of course, it's everything, all at once. It's just a whirlwind of fear and I can't grab onto any one thing. That also happens, but if I'm asked what's wrong, I can't answer or I say that it's everything.

I'd try to get some help identifying the difference, if you can't quite discern it for yourself. Some of how you care for it/treat it/defeat it is different. Not all, but some.

I hope this helps.