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

When you have a panic attack you often hyperventilate and feel everything around you just rush past. You feel trapped and your chest is tight and you have no idea what to do.

I think freaking out involves you panicking and getting more chaos , but panic attacks involve a lot of breathing problems , you feel like your mind is fogged and you also can't stop the stream of tears

A panic attack would involve severe shortness of breathe, muscle spasms, nausea and fast heart beat It could possibly involve tightening of the chest, as well as a possible faint feeling.

I'm not sure why there is a difference between the two; they often go hand in hand. It's how you react that is important. Breathing techniques and/or journaling can be very helpful

shortness of breath, feeling of out of control, cant think right,feels like a,feelings that something terrible is going to happen, or that you're going to die, faint, lose control.tendency to think over your problems in a frantic way and jump to the worst possible scenarios,pounding heartbeat, shaking, nausea, tightness in the throat, chest pain, headache, dizziness

The main symptoms of panic attacks are breathlessness, extreme moods like crying, anger and so, also sometimes you get restless and sweaty.

I feel like when Im having a panic attack I start to show more physical symptoms as well that get stronger the more I think about them. If I'm just freaking out its sometimes just intrusive thoughts that I can control or tone down before the panic.

I personally find that I can calm down faster if I'm freaking out. Especially before it escalates to an attack. To me an attack is characterized by hyperactivity, nit-pickiness, hyperventilating, racing heart, nausea, overly emotional, and shaking. Though it can be different for everybody!

A panic attack is very overwhelming. When I am freaking out if just feels temporary. With panic attacks my heart races, my breathing becomes quicker, I feel dizzy, my palms sweat.

A panic attack is a full body and mind experience, during a panic attack you mind will race to find an reason for the fear, you body will respond by dumping adrenaline and cause your heart to race, you will sweat and become hyper aware of your body. Some people will hyperventilate which adds to the confusions. Freaking out is about a specific trigger, like a spider, something that is real as opposed to perceived in a panic attack.