The difference between panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Momentary anxiety and panic are normal parts of life. But when these moments stretch into weeks, months, and even years, you could be dealing with panic disorder and/or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Becoming familiar with the differences and similarities between these two conditions can help you get the treatment you need to feel better. 

Panic disorder vs. GAD

Panic disorder is characterized by frequent panic attacks that come out of the blue. Sometimes people with this condition feel out of control but don’t know what caused this feeling. And while panic attacks are relatively common, panic disorder isn’t. Around 2% to 3% of people in the U.S. experience this condition.  

Like the name suggests, generalized anxiety disorder involves excessive worrying without being able to control it. GAD involves worrying on most days for at least six months. While both conditions are frequently diagnosed in the U.S., they’re also frequently misdiagnosed or missed altogether. 

Misdiagnosis of a mental illness can lead to negative consequences, like incorrect treatment (for example, being given the wrong medication) or the condition getting worse. It can also make you feel hopeless, despite a mental health provider’s help. 

If a diagnosing mental health provider doesn’t recognize GAD or panic disorder, they might link the conditions’ symptoms to physical causes, like a thyroid disease that can also cause anxiety. Of course, if you don’t actually have a thyroid condition, this diagnosis is useless and can even be harmful.

Can you have both GAD and panic disorder?

If you have GAD, you likely have another mental health condition such as panic disorder. While anxiety disorders, including GAD, can occur by themselves, they usually crop up alongside other anxiety and depressive disorders. For example, one study found 21% of people with GAD experienced panic attacks. This can make getting a diagnosis and treatment more complex. 

Symptoms of GAD and panic disorder do differ, but there are some overlaps. 

People with GAD can experience:

• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Sweating
• Trouble breathing
• Upset stomach 
• Unable to concentrate
• Trembling
• Trouble focusing
• Headaches
• Trouble urinating
• Unstable moods

Panic disorder symptoms can include:

• Pounding or racing heart
• Sweating
• Trouble breathing
• Stomach upset
• Chills
• Trembling
• Weakness or dizziness
• Chest pain
• Choking feeling

Ways to advocate for yourself

Being prepared with ways to advocate for yourself so that you and your provider can work together can make all the difference in getting an accurate diagnosis.

• Go in with confidence. You know your body and symptoms best. Be confident about the distress you’re experiencing because of your mental health condition.
• Keep record of your symptoms. Write down your experiences when you have symptoms so you can talk with your provider about how to distinguish between symptoms of GAD and panic disorder.
• Be informed. Know the differences between GAD and panic disorder. Share your thoughts with your provider and collaborate on an effective strategy to address those areas, along with other suggestions they may have.     

Because both GAD and panic disorder are anxiety disorders, they can be confused for other physical and mood disorders that result in anxiety. That’s why it’s vital to advocate for yourself until you feel confident you have the correct diagnosis. 

Some misdiagnoses include thyroid disease, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Because mood swings are an overlapping symptom in all, it’s important to share the full range of symptoms for an accurate diagnosis. 

Medical professionals sometimes confuse panic disorder with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (abbreviated as POTS, of which one symptom is a racing heart), heart disease, and other illnesses that mimic panic attacks. 

Effective treatments for generalized anxiety and panic disorders

Life with GAD and panic disorder can feel like a minefield. GAD often throws anxiety randomly in the path of those who have it. People living with panic disorder often go out of their way to avoid another panic attack by switching up their routines. This can cause you to avoid or limit your social interactions. While neither of these conditions is curable, finding a treatment that works for you can transform your life for the better.

Providers often direct people with GAD and panic disorder toward cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications, sometimes together. CBT can be effective because it involves reframing negative thought patterns, which can help lessen the hold of anxious thoughts. Like with many medications, it usually takes some trial and error to see what works. Exercise is also encouraged for people with both. 

If you have both GAD and panic disorder, it’s best to seek treatment for the more severe condition first. So if panic disorder is interfering more heavily with your life, it’s important to address it first. It’s OK if it’s difficult for you to tell which is the case for you. Symptoms from each condition can mimic each other. A mental health provider can help you distinguish between the two and determine which makes more sense to prioritize. 

Find care with Rula

When your heart is pounding and you feel like your symptoms are out of control or you’re hit with overwhelming anxiety, it might feel like there’s nothing you can do. While there’s no cure for GAD or panic disorder, support is available, and it’s possible to learn ways to manage your symptoms.

With Rula’s easy-to-use therapist matching tool, you can connect with a therapist who accepts your insurance, is currently accepting new patients, and can see you as soon as tomorrow. And, if medication management ends up being part of your treatment plan, Rula can connect you with an in-network psychiatric provider to support you.

Get started with Rula today