Understanding the Differences Between Anxiety and Panic Attacks

i feel like anxiety attacks usually have an identifiable trigger, but panic is more intense and you can’t figure out what the trigger is most of the time

I have GAD. For me, when I get stressed out, my body stays in a constant state of anxiety. My jaw can hurt from unconsciously clenching, my legs or hands have to keep moving even when I'm sitting or standing still, I'll wake throughout the night with a start, and moan of frustration and wrestle with the sheets and blankets trying to find comfort. First the sheets and blankets are too binding- I need to get them off of me, then I need the comfort of the blankets ( this can all happen in a matter of seconds), I feel frustrated cuz I'm restless and can't seem to relax my muscles unless I meditate and do a body scan or clench and relax my muscles from my toes to my face. I take meds and see a psychiatrist. I also meditate. Deep breathing helps. Visualization helps. Faith in God helps. Everyone is different, so what helps me may not work as well for you. Anxiety attacks happen to me in moments of sudden stress. Or sudden loud noises. I start hyperventilating, getting light headed, sometimes nauseous, sometimes get a headache. I know what it is so I just do my best to control my breath and ride it out. I can't answer your question in explaining the difference, but maybe sharing what I definitely know helps?

Medically Anxiety is acute. Its the event. Generalized anxiety disorder is when you have multiple small events that cause you to have anxiety. Anxiety is the emotion. GAD is the disorder where you feel anxious more often than average. Panic attacks differ from anxiety because anxiety attack are limited to the brain… where as panic attacks are when the whole body, the sympathetic nervous system, is going into overdrive where your have physical manifestation of anxiety getting out of control

It seems to differ depending on who you ask but for me: Anxiety is a condition you can have short-term and is non-specific, GAD is the longer-term version or specifically refers to people who have anxiety in any situation as opposed to just social or triggering situations. Anxiety attacks are when you feel extremely anxious but ultimately are able to handle yourself where panic attacks tend to be so intense that you fear you may die or go insane

I struggle to find the difference, though with panic attacks I seem to fade out, don't recall all of the panic attack. With anxiety I need to stop and breathe