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.

S.L. Rounkles has had her share of panic attacks and is excited to help others learn to deal with theirs. Learn more about panic attacks – Visit her panic attacks website here.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/panic-attacks-and-generalized-anxiety-disorders-what-is-the-difference-1778178.html

One of the most worrying symptoms of panic attack is heart palpitations and this can often lead to the assumption of “heart attack”, something which you would not want to associate yourself with. It is easy to mistake both of them as they share several common symptoms. However, there is a clear difference between panic attack and a heart attack.

In a real heart attack, sufferers will experience a crushing sensation inside the chest and this pain is continuous. In fact, you DO NOT hear your heart beating during a heart attack, nor do you care – the crushing pain is the only thing you can feel. For panic attacks, you can actually feel the rapid heartbeat, in addition to other worrying symptoms. You are never in any real danger during a panic attack, you are just panicking.

The surest way is of course to go for a medical examination and request for electrocardiogram and blood tests. If you have been to the emergency room before and the doctor has given you an all clear cardiac wise – believe him. The thing about heart attack is that you CANNOT have one without an existing heart condition or disease – it a fact. Panic attack CANNOT and WILL NOT cause a heart disease or heart attack. In fact, studies have shown that panic attacks affect the heart similar to the way cardio exercise does. Therefore, do not be alarmed if you suffer from chest pains during a panic attack. If it is related to anxiety and panic, such pain will subside eventually and will never harm you.

Panic attack is one of the most treatable conditions. Discover how you can end your panic attacks now and regain control of your life and happiness.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/difference-between-panic-attack-and-heart-attack-934540.html