喵咪社区

Not all anxiety is the same. This checklist can help you determine what鈥檚 happening, before you talk to your doctor.

Everyone gets anxious from time to time, like before a big job interview, finding out test results or buying a new house.

鈥淔eeling anxious or worried is a part of everyday life,鈥� says Jonathan S. Wong, PsyD, a clinical psychologist with 喵咪社区. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a normal human reaction to care about something important to us.鈥�

But for who have or nearly 7 million who have (GAD), these feelings turn into extreme worry or fear 鈥� even when there鈥檚 no real cause for concern. Here鈥檚 how to tell the difference between the two.

1. Always worrying versus sudden fear

One key difference between GAD and panic disorder is the speed at which things develop and the pattern of behaviors that follows, Dr. Wong explains.

鈥淕AD is about anticipating something bad happening in the future,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hings may be going okay right now, but you believe this won鈥檛 last, which puts you in a constant state of feeling tense and on edge, both psychologically and physically.鈥�

This constant worry then results in behaviors that are meant to prevent a future threat from happening. For example, you may plan excessively, worry about unknown details or constantly check to see whether the feared situation has begun to occur.

On the other hand, having a sudden surge of fear, anxiety or worries about being safe 鈥� or even dying 鈥� is typical for panic disorder.

鈥淚f you have panic disorder, you attempt to change or escape the immediate situation, when you feel a surge of fear, and you have a persistent worry that future panic attacks can happen at any moment,鈥� he adds.

2. Ongoing versus acute physical symptoms

With GAD, you may have trouble concentrating, feel restless, twitch or tremble, find it hard to swallow, tire easily and sweat or feel light-headed on an ongoing basis. You may have headaches, muscle aches or stomachaches. And you may even realize that you worry far more than you should.

Although some symptoms of the two conditions are similar, those of come on suddenly and intensely, and for no apparent reason. Your heart might pound so hard you could think you鈥檙e having a heart attack, and you might sweat profusely and feel as though you鈥檙e unable to breathe. Stomach or chest pain, chills and dizziness can also begin without warning. But, after a few minutes of these severe symptoms, they鈥檒l subside.

3. Prolonged unease versus distress over when the next attack will strike

Both GAD and panic disorder may cause you to avoid situations and places where you鈥檝e had these bad feelings. With GAD, you might not take advantage of job opportunities, trips or social events that you think will be too difficult for you. Even everyday situations, such as chores or appointments, can seem daunting. In this way, GAD negatively affects your quality of life.

But, with panic disorder, the uncertainty of not knowing when the next attack will happen can be debilitating. This dread can lead to the development of further anxiety disorders, such as agoraphobia, or fear of leaving the house.

What to do if you think you have GAD or panic disorder

Luckily, anxiety disorders, like GAD and panic disorder, are very treatable.

鈥淭he majority of people who experience these disorders are able to reduce or eliminate symptoms after several months of psychotherapy, or even after just a few sessions,鈥� Dr. Wong says. 鈥淪cientific research supports a combination of psychotherapy and medication, or psychotherapy alone, as ways to treat GAD and panic disorder.鈥�

鈥淚f you think you may have an anxiety disorder, speaking to a doctor or mental health professional is key and a great first step toward getting help,鈥� Dr. Wong adds.

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