Online, the terms are used interchangeably. Clinically, they are not.
Panic attacks: the official definition
A panic attack is a sudden, discrete episode of intense fear or discomfort that peaks within ten minutes and is accompanied by at least four of the following: pounding heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, derealisation, fear of dying, fear of losing control, numbness or tingling, hot or cold flushes.
Crucially, panic attacks often arrive without warning. You can be sitting in a cinema, driving on a motorway, lying in bed at 3am — and suddenly the full physiological storm hits with no obvious trigger.
Anxiety attacks: the practical definition
"Anxiety attack" is not a formal diagnosis. It is the term most people use for an episode of intense anxiety that builds gradually in response to an identifiable stressor. Symptoms overlap with panic — racing heart, tight chest, racing thoughts — but the onset is slower and the trigger is usually obvious.
The critical difference
Both are produced by the same underlying mechanism: a sensitised fight-or-flight response. The difference is essentially how quickly and from what starting point that response fires.
Why it matters for recovery
If you experience repeated panic attacks, you may be heading toward — or already meet criteria for — Panic Disorder. If you experience repeated anxiety attacks tied to specific situations, you may be heading toward Generalised Anxiety Disorder, social anxiety, or a specific phobia.
The labels matter for clinical pathways. They matter much less for recovery itself. The Linden Method — now delivered through LAR Coaching — addresses the underlying sensitisation that produces both. Whether you call your episodes panic or anxiety, the resolution is the same.
What to do during an episode
These are first-aid measures. They are not a cure. The cure is to stop the response from firing inappropriately in the first place — which is what LAR Coaching is designed to do.
The next step
If any of this resonates, book a free 30-minute Recovery Call with one of our LAR Coaches. No pressure, no obligation — just a real conversation about what is happening to you and whether the LAR programme is the right fit. Sessions are delivered worldwide via Zoom, Phone or FaceTime.