恐慌障碍与GAD之间的差异

While panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) share some common symptoms, such as excessive worrying, they are two separate and distinct mental health conditions. Gaining knowledge about these two common mental health conditions may be the first step to helping yourself or a loved one.

Characteristics of Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by recurring, unexpected惊恐发作没有实际危险的情况发生。“精神障碍的诊断和统计手册”（DSM-5）定义一个恐慌攻击，作为突然发作的强烈恐惧，在此期间至少有四个身体和心理症状are present:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Chills or hot flashes
• 过度出汗
• 窒息的感觉
• 害怕死亡
• 害怕失去控制或“疯狂”
• 感到头晕，不稳定，光线，或微弱
• 不真实（致命）或从自己脱离的感觉（代分化)
• 心悸，捣碎心脏，或加速心率
• 恶心或腹部痛苦
• 麻木和刺痛的感觉（热敏）
• 感觉气促或窒息
• 颤抖或摇晃

恐慌发作的症状通常突然发生，在10分钟内达到峰值，然后消退。然而，某些攻击可能持续较长或可能连续发生，使得难以确定一个攻击结束，另一个攻击何时何时开始。

It's not unusual for a person with panic disorder to become so consumed with worry and fear that they develop behavioral changes, such as广播恐惧症，避免他们担心恐慌攻击的环境或情况。

Characteristics of GAD

Themain feature of GAD对日常生活事件过度和普遍担心。这种担心是难以控制的，令人担忧的想法可能变得无法管理。

为了被诊断出来，担心和焦虑必须持续超过六个月并干扰日常运作。对于一个有Gad的人，他们的担心和焦虑可能会接管，使他们难以完成工作任务，保持健康的关系，并照顾自己。

With GAD, a person may have physical symptoms, but they differ from those with panic disorder. Common examples of these physical symptoms include:

• Chronic headaches
• 消化问题like diarrhea or stomach discomfort
• 疲劳
• 易怒
• 肌肉张力
• 烦躁不安
• 睡眠问题（跌倒或睡着的困难）

The focus of worry in GAD generally surrounds usual life circumstances—finances, job issues, children, health—unlike in panic disorder, when worry occurs spontaneously and/or focuses on when the next panic attack will occur.

Coexistence of Conditions

It is possible to have both panic disorder and GAD. It's also not uncommon for panic disorder and GAD to co-occur with mood disorders like major depressive disorder, other anxiety disorders likesocial anxiety disorder或者substance use disorder。

Further complicating the picture is that some medical conditions such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), heart disease, lung disease, or neurological diseases like stroke can mimic the symptoms of a panic disorder or GAD. This is why it's important to seek out care from a healthcare professional to ensure proper evaluation and diagnosis, and to begin a course of treatment.

A Word From Verywell

The symptoms of panic disorder and GAD can be disabling, affecting both quality of life and a person's everyday functioning. But the good news is that with professional treatment, the vast majority of people with panic disorder or GAD can obtain significant relief from their symptoms. The earlier the diagnosis made and treatment begins, the better.

If you have symptoms of panic disorder, GAD, or both, talk to your doctor or another healthcare provider. Sometimes getting started and reaching out is the hardest step, but you'll be happy that you did.