Many people who have a Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) mistakenly think that they have panic attacks.
Although both of these disorders tend to occur based on unfounded fears or problems, there are several differences.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) GAD appears gradually and lasts for a very long period of time, as in at least several months.
The symptoms can include trembling and twitching as well as tension in the muscles.
The person feels excessively worried and uptight most of the time and they normally don't know why they feel this way.
They are in a constant state of anxiousness and usually find it very hard to relax.
They ask what if this happens and what if that happens more than usual.
They start to think the worst of things, and they fear that most situations will end up disastrous.
They start to imagine, in detail, that everything will have bad results.
Not surprisingly, GAD starts to interfere with everyday life and causes major stress.
Panic Attacks These attacks are brought on by an unfounded fear or a perceived threat.
They happen quite suddenly, and they usually last from between a few minutes to a few hours.
In rare cases, they have lasted up to a day.
They are accompanied by an intense fear or anxiety and include at least a couple more of many symptoms including an increased heart rate, shortness of breath, chills, faintness, hyperventilation and dizziness.
Many people in the throes of one often fear that they are dying or having a heart attack.
Sufferers of panic attacks begin to avoid certain situations and places that they fear are associated with their attacks.