Addiction starts for a variety of different reasons, but one of the biggest reasons is when you have a mental illness. Dealing with symptoms of anxiety and panic can be extremely difficult and make it hard to live normally. For many people, turning to drugs or alcohol seems like the only way to manage their symptoms, but it isn’t. Understanding the differences of an anxiety attack vs panic attack can make treatment go more smoothly

Anxiety Attack vs Panic Attack

Many people don’t know the difference between an anxiety attack vs panic attack because they’re often used interchangeably. There are some differences when talking about the two, but they can both have similar symptoms.

When you’re struggling with these attacks on a regular basis, it can make it difficult to go to work, to school or to have a social life. The common symptoms of anxiety or panic attacks can include the following:

• Elevated heart rate
• Racing thoughts
• Intense worrying
• Shortness of breath
• Adrenaline spike

The primary difference between these two is that an anxiety attack occurs when you react to a stressor. A stressor can come in a range of forms, such as a bill arriving in the mail or an uncomfortable social situation.

On the other hand, when experiencing a panic attack, there’s no stressor. A panic attack can appear to come out of nowhere.

Considering the reasons behind your anxiety attack vs panic attack, it can seem overwhelming. Both can be debilitating when they continue without the right treatment.

Moreover, when you’re dealing with these kinds of attacks and a substance use disorder at the same time, you likely have a dual diagnosis.

Dealing With Mental Illness and an Addiction

If you’re struggling with an addiction as well as panic or anxiety attacks, it’s important to get the proper help. At an addiction rehab facility that specializes in anxiety and panic disorder treatment, you’ll get the best care possible.

When you don’t treat the mental illness and the addiction separately, recovery is more difficult. For example, if you only overcome your addiction but not your anxiety, it could be more challenging to remain sober.

By seeking the help of Pennsylvania addiction recovery services, you’ll learn how to live a fulfilling new life. In treatment, you’ll work with licensed clinicians who specialize in mental illness and addiction recovery.

Additionally, you’ll learn coping skills that will help you decrease your stress and anxiety, which will give you hope. Through individual and group therapy, you’ll also learn how to live life without having to pick up a drink or a drug.

Seeking Help for Addiction at Steps to Recovery

Steps to Recovery in Levittown, PA is here to help you with your mental health and addiction. We have a dedicated staff, and our primary focus is on helping you rebuild relationships with loved ones as well as yourself. Through our addiction treatment program, you’ll see that there’s a better way of living. Some of the additional services we offer include:

• Residential treatment
• Outpatient treatment
• Sober living

Figuring out the causes behind your stress can help direct you in learning about the differences between an anxiety attack vs panic attack. Steps to Recovery is here to lead you through the treatment process. Call us today at 267.719.8528 to get started on your journey to recovery.