Understanding Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks along with persistent worry about having future attacks and changes in behavior to avoid triggering them. A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear and physical symptoms that peaks within minutes. Approximately 2 to 3 percent of Americans experience panic disorder each year, and it is twice as common in women as in men. Panic attacks can feel terrifying, and many people who experience them visit emergency rooms believing they are having a heart attack or other medical emergency. The fear of future attacks often leads to significant avoidance behavior that can progressively limit a person's life. Panic disorder is highly treatable, and most people who receive evidence-based treatment experience significant improvement.
Signs & Symptoms
Recognizing the signs and symptoms is the first step toward getting help
Warning Signs
Avoiding places or situations where a previous panic attack occurred, such as highways, crowded stores, or public transportation
Needing a companion to go to unfamiliar or previously triggering places
Constantly monitoring bodily sensations for signs of an impending panic attack
Keeping emergency exits in sight or choosing seats near exits in public spaces
Carrying objects believed to provide safety, such as medication, water, or a phone at all times
Common Symptoms
Sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort that peaks within minutes
Rapid or pounding heartbeat, heart palpitations, or chest pain
Shortness of breath, hyperventilation, or a feeling of choking or smothering
Trembling, shaking, sweating, or chills
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint
Numbness or tingling sensations in the hands, feet, or face
Fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying during an attack
What Causes Panic Disorder?
Dysregulation of the body's fight-or-flight system, where the brain's alarm center fires inappropriately in the absence of real danger
Genetic factors play a significant role, as panic disorder runs in families. First-degree relatives of affected individuals have a four to eight times higher risk
Major life stressors or transitions such as job loss, divorce, bereavement, or moving to a new area can trigger the onset of panic disorder
Heightened sensitivity to physical sensations, known as anxiety sensitivity, where normal body sensations are interpreted as dangerous
Treatment Options
Evidence-based approaches that our licensed therapists use to help you heal
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT for panic disorder focuses on identifying and correcting catastrophic misinterpretations of bodily sensations. It helps you understand the panic cycle and develop skills to interrupt it.
Interoceptive Exposure
This specialized technique deliberately induces panic-like physical sensations in a controlled setting. By repeated, safe exposure to these sensations, you learn they are not dangerous and your fear decreases.
Breathing Retraining and Relaxation
Learning diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation provides immediate tools for managing panic symptoms and reducing overall physiological arousal.
Medication Management
SSRIs and benzodiazepines can help reduce panic attack frequency and severity. SSRIs are preferred for long-term management, while benzodiazepines may be used short-term during the initial phase of treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a panic attack cause a heart attack?
No. While panic attacks cause very real and frightening physical symptoms that can mimic a heart attack, they do not cause cardiac damage. However, if you are unsure whether you are experiencing a panic attack or a cardiac event, always seek medical attention.
How long do panic attacks last?
Most panic attacks peak within 10 minutes and resolve within 20 to 30 minutes. Some people may experience waves of panic that last longer, but attacks rarely persist beyond an hour. The symptoms feel intense in the moment but are temporary.
Can panic disorder develop without a trigger?
Yes. A hallmark of panic disorder is that attacks often occur unexpectedly, without an obvious external trigger. This unpredictability is one of the most distressing aspects of the condition and often leads to anticipatory anxiety about future attacks.
Is panic disorder the same as anxiety?
Panic disorder is a specific type of anxiety disorder. While generalized anxiety involves chronic, pervasive worry, panic disorder is characterized by sudden, discrete episodes of intense fear along with specific physical symptoms. Both conditions can occur together.
Can you die from a panic attack?
No. Although panic attacks can feel life-threatening and produce very real physical symptoms, they are not fatal. Understanding this fact is an important part of treatment and helps reduce the fear that perpetuates the panic cycle.
What should I do during a panic attack?
Focus on slow, deep breathing. Remind yourself that the attack is temporary and not dangerous. Ground yourself using the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, naming five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. If panic attacks are recurring, seek professional help.
