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

Panic attacks come with a lot of physical symptoms which are very specific, such as racing heart, sweaty palms, shortness of breath, feeling faint. I think when you have a panic attack you know it.

When you have a panic attack, the world starts closing in on you. The most important thing in both circumstances, is to take a breath, close your eyes and regulate your oxygen intake. Then try to destress, through activities during the day.

When you have a panic attack you feel you can't breathe. It seems like your having a heart attack, but your not. Well just freaking out is super anxiety, and feeling like things are out your control.

Either way you should try to breath and work on mindfulness. Find a way to a distract your self from the problem.

Your heart starts racing, you get hot flashes, dizzy/feeling faint, sometimes body aches. I usually get pains in my rib area. Sometimes you feel like or start crying without any warning. You'll feel like so many thoughts hit you at once.

in the moment its hard to tell however you should calm yourself down like you would a panic attack

Having a panic attack comes with specific sensations of struggling to breathe, clammy hands, dry mouth, and the very genuine feeling that something very bad is about to happen at any moment. Sometimes, when you think you're just freaking out for no reason, you might be having a panic attack! Occasionally, people having panic attacks are unable to function and/or bring themselves to do anything and will break out into sobs.

A panic attack has much more physical symptoms than just freaking out. Shakiness, shortness of breath, racing heart, chest pain, choking feeling.. etc.

Symptoms of panic attacks include but are not limited to elevated heart rate, out of the ordinary behavior, poor decision making, mental cloudiness, unexplained anger, changes in eyesight, and stomach aches.

It could be both but I am not a doctor or a professional but if you have any problems with pain see a doctor or need someone to talk to talk to one of us.