The Differences Between Panic Disorder and PTSD

Panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are two types of mental disorders that can cause intense feelings of fear and anxiety. While they share some similar symptoms, there are important differences in terms of symptoms, causes, and treatments. 

Someone with PTSD may experience symptoms of panic, but that does not mean they have panic disorder. And a person with panic disorder may have intense feelings of fear, but such symptoms are not related to having experienced a traumatic event in the past.

Overview of Panic Disorder and PTSD

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder that causes people to have recuring panic attacks. To avoid having these panic attacks, people with panic disorder may begin avoid situations that trigger these episodes. In some cases, this can lead to agoraphobia in which people become unable to leave their home.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can occur after a person has experienced a traumatic event involving intense fear and threat of bodily injury or death. Examples include military combat, sexual assault, or natural disasters.

The person may not have experienced the event firsthand. Witnessing a traumatic stressor, such as the accidental death of a person or an attack on someone, can bring about symptoms. PTSD can also occur when a person has heard about the details of another’s exposure to trauma, including learning about the tragic death of a friend or family member.

Differences Between Panic Disorder and PTSD

People with PTSD often struggle with co-occurring conditions like anxiety-related disorders, depression, and substance use. It is not uncommon for a person with PTSD to also be diagnosed with panic disorder. However, each condition has its own set of symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options.

The differences between panic disorder and PTSD can be determined by considering several factors.

Symptoms of Panic Disorder vs. PTSD

Understanding the symptoms of the two conditions is important for telling them apart.

Symptoms of Panic Disorder

People with panic disorder experience many physical symptoms associated with panic attacks, such as trembling, shaking, sweating, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. These somatic feelings can become so severe that the person may believe they are losing control, going crazy, or having a serious medical issue such as a heart attack.

For people with panic disorder, these panic attacks can happen again and often without warning, which can make the person live in fear due to the anticipation of their next attack.

Symptoms of PTSD

The symptoms of PTSD, on the other hand, can be divided into three categories: re-experiencing the event in some intrusive way, avoidance behaviors, and increased arousal:

• Re-experiencing symptoms include intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks of the traumatic event.
• Avoidance behaviors involve steering clear of anything that reminds them of the trauma, including thoughts, places, and memories associated with what happened.
• Hyperarousal symptoms typically consist of becoming easily startled, a lack of concentration, and frequent irritability.

Panic Attacks in Panic Disorder vs. PTSD

To have a diagnosis of panic disorder, the person must experience recurrent and spontaneous panic attacks. 

A person with PTSD can also experience the physical sensations of panic attacks, such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and hot flashes. However, these attacks are brought on by the re-experiencing of the traumatic event through such experiences as dreams, thoughts, and flashbacks.

Hyperarousal symptoms present in PTSD, such as becoming panicked after hearing a loud noise, can also cause panic attacks.

Avoidance Behaviors in Panic Disorder vs. PTSD

Both panic disorder and PTSD can lead to avoidance behaviors. However, the underlying cause of such avoidance differs for each condition.

Avoidance in Panic Disorder

Having a panic attack can be a terrifying experience. People with panic disorder often become frightened just thinking about their next impending attack. This dread of future attacks can become so powerful that the person develops agoraphobia, a fear of having a panic attack from which it would be difficult or embarrassing to flee.

Avoidance in PTSD

People with PTSD display many avoidance behaviors. They often avoid places, activities, thoughts, conversations, people, and other stimuli that remind them of the traumatic event. A person may even experience memory loss of the event. 

A person with PTSD may also become distant from others, limit activities, find it difficult to express a full range of feelings, and lose hope about their future.

Treatment for Panic Disorder and PTSD

Fortunately, there are many treatment options for panic disorder, including medication and psychotherapy. These forms of treatment can also effectively treat PTSD. There are several classes of medications that might be used for symptom reduction.

Medication

Medications can help treat symptoms of panic disorder and PTSD. Such medications may include antidepressants and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medications).

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants commonly prescribed to reduce anxiety, the intensity of panic attacks, and hyperarousal. Benzodiazepines are a type of anti-anxiety medication that is prescribed for its sedative effect.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common form of psychotherapy that can help to lessen the symptoms of both panic disorder and PTSD. This approach focuses on changing the underlying negative thoughts that contribute to feelings of fear and anxiety.

For example, systematic desensitization is a CBT technique that entails therapist-guided gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations. The person learns to manage their fear in these situations through relaxation techniques.

By continually practicing gradual exposure and relaxation through therapy, certain stimuli that once triggered anxiety will eventually no longer cause extreme nervousness and fear in the person.

For example, by treating the hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD, the development of panic attacks may be prevented. Additionally, the chances of developing agoraphobia can be lowered by receiving help for panic disorder and attacks early on.

Keep in Mind

If you think you have panic disorder or PTSD, it is important to talk to your doctor or a licensed mental health professional. They can evaluate your symptoms and provide a proper diagnosis. By learning more about your condition, you can then determine which treatment might be most helpful for you.