Panic and Terror, the difference
Panic is frantic, uncontrollable fear in which clear thought is lost. Terror is paralysing and extreme; the mind goes blank.
Each in a line
Panic
Panic is frantic, uncontrollable fear that overwhelms clear thought. The heart races, breathing turns rapid and shallow, the chest may feel crushed. A conviction arrives that something terrible is about to happen. It is physiologically extreme and deeply frightening.
Fear family
Terror
Terror is paralysing, extreme fear where the mind goes blank. The chest seizes and the limbs may freeze rather than fight or flee. Thought disappears or narrows to a single point. The system records it differently from ordinary fear.
Fear family
Pleasantness and energy
Where each lives in the body
Panic
Head
Tunnel-vision tightness
Face
Strong heat or tension
Chest
Heaviness, ache, or pounding
Stomach
Strong tightening or hollow
Arms
Strong activation or weight
Hands
Strong clenching or tingling
Legs
Heaviness or restlessness
Terror
Head
Tunnel-vision tightness
Face
Strong heat or tension
Chest
Heaviness, ache, or pounding
Stomach
A sinking pull or knot
Arms
Energy or heaviness
Legs
Heaviness or restlessness
Hands
Activation, urge to grip
How long they last
Duration has not been measured for these words.
Read the full entries