How do I know if I'm really having a panic attack or if I'm just freaking out?

Panic attacks can present themselves with a variety of different symptoms, and not everybody experiences them the same way. The main symptoms of a panic/anxiety attack can include things like accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath or hyperventilation, nausea, dizziness, trembling and/or muscle tension (among many other symptoms). Sometimes it may be hard to tell whether you're having a panic attack or just 'freaking out', but if these feelings are concerning you, then definitely tell somebody you trust about it. Untreated stress can be quite detrimental to your mental health and overall wellbeing.

Everybody freaks out sometimes, it's natural to feel like this. A panic attack is a much more serious and scary experience. You may shake, feel like you have no breath or are dying. They tend to come on very fast in overwhelming situations where you feel anxious.

Revise the symptoms and when you feel unsure, see if you are having symptoms, if not you are just freaking out.

Panic attacks are different from freaking out. When you have a panic attack you feel dizzy , your heart beats fast and I breath really deep or fast breaths , like you can't catch your breath. Your hands and feet go numb and sometimes cold, you get nauseous and sometimes throw up. And sometimes when your panic attack is hard you pass out

a panic attack is generally accompanied by sweating and elevated heart rate and shallow breathing.

Panic attacks come on suddenly and there is usually a trigger that sets it off. During panic you feel a softness of breath, weakness and you may shake. A panic attack lasts a short period of time and you usually feel tired afterwards. There may be a pattern to panic. Freaking out comes with stress and usually there is a different meaning about what you are freaking out about whereas panic comes from the same underlying fear or memory that has left yiu with fear

A panic attack might cause intense immediate fear of death or fear of physical danger and other physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, numbness and tingling in the face, chest, or extremeties. Panic attacks don't last for very long but can reoccur many times in a stressful period due to anxiety. People with panic attacks often think their heart is beating irregularly or their breathing is not working properly, and that they are in danger, but this is all a result of the body's response to a flood of adrenaline. The fear it produces is the result of a vicious cycle of mental feedback that causes you to fear for your health and then possibly for your life. On the other hand, a "freakout" might be due to frustration or stress or anger but will not be accompanied by intense immediate fear of harm or intense physical symptoms. If you have panic attacks, do realize that this is not a permanent condition and that panic attacks cannot actually hurt you other than by making you faint/pass out. While a "freakout" may be an emotionally severe reaction to stress, a panic attack is a physically severe reaction to stress.

Well, I would say they are one in the same. However a panic attack is a heavy "freak out". Symptoms can be both emotional and physical. SOME emotional symptoms would be: lack of concentration, feeling paranoid, or irritable es. SOME physical symptoms would be: upset stomach, feelings of; being light headed, dizzy, or vertigo. These are only some symptoms and not everyone get's all symptoms and some get all symptoms. You could also talk to your primary care provider and check out the Anxiety self help guide on 7cups. :)

I know I am having a panic attack when I physically cant control my breathing and my chest weighs a million pounds.

Panic attack or freaking out to me are just labels --- it is what is happening (the symptoms) that need the attention. So whatever I would take actions to try calm myself deep breaths etc.