Are You Anna… Kiley… or Both? Why Panic vs. Anxiety Isn’t What’s Really Holding You Back
Anna doesn’t panic.
At least, that’s what she tells herself. Her mind never stops racing—her kids, her health, her faith, tomorrow, ten years from now. Her body feels tense even when everything seems fine.
People tell her, “You seem calm,” and she smiles, thinking, If only you knew.
Then there’s Kiley.
One moment she’s fine. The next, her heart is pounding, her chest tight, and she’s sure she’s about to pass out. She’s been to the ER more than once and now avoids anything that could trigger it again.
And there’s Caroline—a little of both.
She spends her days tensed and on edge, but every now and then, panic hits hard and fast, leaving her convinced her body is betraying her.
Here’s the surprising truth: Anna, Kiley, and Caroline aren’t as different as they think.
Their fear—whether quiet or sudden—comes from the same source: a nervous system stuck in protection. And the label—anxiety vs. panic—matters far less than what’s actually driving their fear.
Chronic Anxiety: When the Nervous System Never Powers Down
Chronic anxiety is sneaky. It doesn’t always announce itself with drama—it lives in the quiet tension that never lets up:
Overthinking. Check out “When Your Mind Won’t Stop Spinning.”
“What-if” spirals
Tight shoulders, shallow breathing
That restless, always-on-edge feeling
Women with chronic anxiety often say:
“I don’t panic. I just can’t ever relax.”
That tension isn’t imagined. It’s carried in the body. Your nervous system never feels safe—not because you lack faith, but because it has learned to stay on alert.
Scripture names it perfectly:
“An anxious heart weighs a man down.” — Proverbs 12:25
Panic Attacks: When the Alarm Goes Off Full Blast
Panic is louder. It hits fast and hard:
Heart racing
Shortness of breath
Dizziness or nausea
Chest tightness
Thoughts like “I’m dying” or “I’m losing control”
But what makes panic truly consuming isn’t the attack itself—it’s the fear that follows. The next moment, the next day, the next trip out the door becomes a minefield.
Even Scripture captures that kind of fear:
“My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.” — Psalm 55:4
This isn’t rebellion. It’s a body overwhelmed by fear. If you’re interested in my panic story, you can read it now.
Which One Is Worse?
Here’s what most people don’t realize:
Chronic anxiety and panic aren’t opposites. They’re cousins.
Chronic anxiety keeps the nervous system on constant alert.
Panic is what happens when that system misfires dramatically.
Different expressions, same system. And that’s why Panic to Peace Coaching isn’t really about panic at all.
Why Panic to Peace Coaching Can Help
For women whose bodies no longer feel safe—whether constantly braced like Anna, suddenly hijacked like Kiley, or a mix like Caroline—there is a path forward.
In Panic to Peace Coaching, I guide women to:
Understand their nervous system patterns
Learn practical, faith-aligned tools to meet fear safely
Respond to panic or anxiety without forcing it away
Build confidence that their body can stay safe even when fear shows up
The goal isn’t to eliminate fear. It’s to live well in your body and in your faith, even when fear appears.
Real-Life Examples
Mary* feared grocery stores. She learned to take small, steady steps, gradually expanding what felt safe. Today, she shops freely again.
Jessica avoided highways after panic hit on the interstate. Step by step, she regained confidence and drives without terror.
Hannah dreaded bedtime. Through faith-based tools and nervous system retraining, she now sleeps peacefully.
Each of these women found freedom not by eliminating fear, but by learning how to meet it differently—step by step. That’s what we focus on in coaching.
(*These are composites of actual people I’ve coached and counseled.)
Who This Coaching Is Especially Helpful For
Panic to Peace Coaching is a strong fit if you:
Fear bodily sensations like a racing heart or shortness of breath
Monitor your body for signs of anxiety
Avoid situations because of how your body might react
Feel stuck in protection mode
Are tired of fighting anxiety and want a different relationship with it
You don’t need a diagnosis. You don’t need to use the word “panic.” The truth is simple: your relationship with fear has become the problem, not fear itself.
Who It Might Not Be Right For
If your anxiety is mostly cognitive—thought patterns, decisions, or perfectionism—and you’re looking for mindset tools only, this may not be the right starting place.
This coaching isn’t about thinking your way out of fear. It’s about practically and safely learning that your body doesn’t need to stay on high alert.
The Bottom Line
Chronic anxiety and panic look different, but they share the same root:
A nervous system stuck in protection
Fear of internal sensations
Loss of trust in the body
Peace doesn’t come from eliminating fear. It comes from learning how to meet it safely.
“Perfect love casts out fear.” — 1 John 4:18
Not by force. Not by pressure. But through safety, skill, and relationship—with God and with your body.
If your body feels unsafe more often than your circumstances do, you’re not broken. Whether you’re more like Anna, more like Kiley, or a bit of Caroline—you’re probably in the right place.
If you want to explore what it looks like to respond to fear with faith, clarity, and steadiness, schedule a free Breakthrough Call here to see if Panic to Peace Coaching could be the next step for you.