What Does an Anxiety Attack Feel Like? 6 Facts to Know

Content medically reviewed by Dr. Andrew Obritsch

Most people get anxious about something, whether it’s a first date, a work presentation, or an upcoming flight. People with severe anxiety, though, experience more than nervousness in certain situations. Their brains overreact to stress, triggering the fight-or-flight response when it’s not needed. Over time, anxiety may build until it becomes overwhelming, leading to an anxiety attack. An anxiety attack can feel like a medical emergency.

Many people confuse anxiety attacks and panic attacks, which are similar but slightly different. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the mental health professionals’ diagnostic guide) recognizes panic attacks, but not anxiety attacks. Still, anxiety attacks affect many people. Learn six key facts about anxiety attacks, including what they feel like, how they differ from panic attacks, and how your primary care provider (PCP) can help.

1. Anxiety Disorders Are Common but Vary Widely

It can be easy to feel isolated if you have anxiety. In reality, though, many people are dealing with anxiety on some level. Around 3 in 10 U.S. adults develop an anxiety disorder at some point in their lifetime, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

“Many types of anxiety disorders can cause anxiety attacks,” said Dr. Andrew Obritsch, family medicine physician at Essentia Health. “One of the most common is generalized anxiety disorder, which causes intense, persistent anxiety that can disrupt your life. Anxiety attacks look different for everyone, but a common thread is that they can cause both emotional and physical symptoms.”

2. An Anxiety Attack Can Feel Like a Heart Attack

One of the reasons an anxiety attack can be so distressing is that the physical symptoms may be similar to a heart attack. Symptoms these two conditions may share include –

• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Heart palpitations (a racing heartbeat)
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath

In addition, an anxiety attack can cause a headache and muscle tension, along with emotional symptoms. For example, you may have difficulty concentrating, feel persistent worry or unease, or struggle to control your thoughts. An anxiety attack can last for hours.

3. You Can Take Action to Manage Your Symptoms

“In the moment, it can be difficult to tell whether you’re having an anxiety attack or experiencing another medical problem, like a heart attack,” Dr. Obritsch said. “So, take your symptoms seriously. If you develop heart attack-like symptoms, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.”

If you believe you’re having an anxiety attack, you can do more than simply ride it out. You can help calm your symptoms by –

• Breathing slowly and deeply, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth
• Focusing on the present
• Relaxing major muscle groups one at a time
• Telling yourself the anxiety attack will pass eventually

4. Major Stressors Can Trigger an Anxiety Attack

Any significant stressor can trigger an anxiety attack, such as –

• A move or career change
• A new baby
• Financial troubles
• Job loss
• Marriage
• Medical conditions
• The death of a loved one
• Trauma

As for why anxiety occurs in the first place, experts aren’t sure. They believe many factors may contribute. These include imbalances in hormones and neurotransmitters (chemicals that carry messages between cells), genetic changes, and changes to the amygdala, the part of the brain that controls fear.

5. Anxiety Attacks Can Feel Different From Panic Attacks

Panic disorder, a common type of anxiety disorder, can cause panic attacks. These events can share certain symptoms with anxiety attacks, including chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath. However, anxiety attacks and panic attacks differ in key ways, including –

• Buildup. Anxiety tends to build over time, potentially leading to an anxiety attack. Panic attacks usually happen suddenly, without warning.
• Duration. Anxiety attacks often last longer than panic attacks, which usually last no more than 20 minutes.
• Intensity. Anxiety attacks are usually less severe than panic attacks. Panic attacks can cause intense fear, feelings of choking or being smothered, chills, hot flashes, sweating, and trembling, among other symptoms.
• Trigger. Anxiety attacks typically happen in response to stressors. That’s true of panic attacks, too, but these events can also happen when you’re not stressed.

6. Your PCP Can Be the Gateway to Healing

You may have a severe anxiety disorder if anxiety attacks or other symptoms interfere with your daily life. For example, you may be unable to function normally at home or work, or you may avoid situations, like get-togethers with friends, out of fear of triggering symptoms.

“The first step toward taking back control is to talk with your PCP,” Dr. Obritsch said. “They can determine whether your symptoms are due to an anxiety disorder and rule out other health conditions. If your PCP diagnoses an anxiety disorder, they can recommend treatment that takes the full picture of your health into account. They can also refer you to a mental health provider when needed.”

Treatment for anxiety disorders falls into two main categories –

• Medicines. Your PCP may prescribe daily medication for prevention of future attacks and/or medication to take as-needed when an attack occurs. They may also want you to take a beta-blocker to help with physical symptoms, like heart palpitations.
• Talk therapy. You may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most common types of talk therapy. CBT can help you recognize and reframe negative thoughts.

The Bottom Line

Anxiety attacks can be frightening and frustrating, but they don’t have to define your future. Here’s what to know –

1. Stressful events or situations trigger anxiety attacks, which can cause a range of emotional and physical symptoms. These include heart attack-like symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath.
2. Anxiety attacks are usually shorter and less intense than panic attacks, although the two share some symptoms.
3. Your PCP can determine whether your symptoms are due to anxiety or something else. They can also recommend treatment, such as talk therapy or medications.