Clinical interview
You discuss symptoms, timeline, and how they affect daily functioning — at your pace.
Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder Treatment
When your body feels like it is in mortal danger — heart pounding, breath shortening — yet doctors say you are fine, panic disorder may be the missing explanation, and it is highly treatable.
- Board-Certified PMHNP-BC
- Telehealth psychiatric care
- Ages 12+
- Major insurance accepted
Understanding your experience
What is panic disorder?
Panic disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks — sudden surges of intense fear with physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, trembling, and fear of dying or losing control. Patients often develop anticipatory anxiety and avoidance of places where attacks occurred. Psychiatric treatment with SSRIs, SNRIs, and structured follow-up helps most patients regain confidence and reduce attack frequency.
Panic Disorder is a real medical condition — not a personal failing. With proper psychiatric care, many people experience meaningful improvement over time. Individual outcomes vary.
Recognize the signs
Symptoms you may be experiencing
If several of these feel familiar, a professional evaluation can provide clarity and a path forward.
- Sudden episodes of overwhelming fear or dread
- Palpitations, chest pain, or sensation of choking
- Shortness of breath, dizziness, or lightheadedness
- Trembling, sweating, or hot flashes
- Fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying during attacks
- Persistent worry about having another attack
- Avoidance of situations associated with prior panic episodes
It is not your fault
Common causes and contributors
- Genetic vulnerability to anxiety and panic sensitivity
- Hyperactive fear circuitry and misinterpretation of bodily sensations
- Major stressors, grief, or life transitions
- Withdrawal from alcohol, caffeine excess, or certain medications
- Thyroid, cardiac, or respiratory conditions ruled out during evaluation
Clinical clarity
How diagnosis works
Diagnosis begins with a confidential psychiatric evaluation — not a rushed checklist. Your PMHNP gathers a full clinical picture before recommending treatment.
Panic disorder diagnosis requires a history of recurrent unexpected panic attacks and persistent concern about future attacks or maladaptive behavior change. Your PMHNP also evaluates for agoraphobia, generalized anxiety, PTSD, and medical causes of similar symptoms.
When needed, we coordinate with your primary care provider to rule out cardiac or metabolic contributors. Treatment emphasizes both acute symptom relief and long-term prevention through medication and psychoeducation.
History review
Medical, psychiatric, and medication history are reviewed to understand the full context.
Standardized assessment
When helpful, structured screening tools support — not replace — clinical judgment.
Collaborative plan
You leave with a clearer picture of what is going on and recommended next steps, explained plainly.
Your care plan
Treatment options
- Panic-focused psychiatric evaluation and differential diagnosis
- SSRI or SNRIs as first-line pharmacologic treatment
- Short-term benzodiazepine use only in select cases with caution
- Psychoeducation on panic physiology and interoceptive exposure concepts
- Gradual return-to-activity planning to reduce avoidance
When appropriate
Medication options
Medication is never automatic. Your PMHNP discusses benefits, risks, and alternatives so you can decide together.
- SSRIs such as sertraline or escitalopram for long-term panic reduction
- SNRIs when co-occurring depression or chronic pain is present
- Limited-course benzodiazepines during SSRI initiation in some cases
- Beta-blockers for situational physical symptoms when appropriate
Is it time?
When to seek help
You do not need to be in crisis to deserve support. Consider reaching out if:
- You have had sudden panic attacks and now live in fear of the next one
- Daily life — work, school, sleep, or relationships — feels harder than it should
- You have tried coping on your own but nothing seems to stick
- You are avoiding activities, people, or responsibilities because of how you feel
- You wonder whether medication or psychiatric evaluation could help
- Someone you trust has expressed concern about changes in your mood or behavior
Why Mindful Healing
Why choose this practice for panic disorder care
Panic Disorder — frequently asked questions
Panic attacks are intensely uncomfortable but not physically harmful in themselves. Medical evaluation helps rule out other causes of similar symptoms.
Insurance accepted
Many major plans cover telehealth psychiatric care. We verify your benefits before your first visit — and offer transparent self-pay options when needed.
Patient experiences
What patients say about our care
“I was nervous before my first appointment, but it felt easy to open up once we started. Everything was explained clearly and I never felt judged or rushed.”
“What stood out was how much attention was given to what I was actually saying. It felt like someone genuinely trying to understand what I'm going through.”
How we help
Services for panic disorder
Psychiatric Evaluation
A psychiatric evaluation gives you clarity: a thorough, unhurried assessment with a board-certified PMHNP, honest answers, and a treatment plan explained in language you understand.
Learn moreMedication Management
Medication management means you are never navigating this alone. Your PMHNP monitors your response, explains every change clearly, and adjusts your plan collaboratively over time.
Learn moreTelehealth Psychiatric Sessions
Telehealth psychiatric sessions bring board-certified care to you. Private video visits from wherever you feel safe — with the same PMHNP for evaluation, follow-up, and medication management.
Learn moreKeep learning
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When you're ready
Ready to get help for panic disorder?
Request a confidential consultation. We will answer your questions, confirm whether we are the right fit, and explain what your first telehealth visit looks like — with no pressure.
- Confidential inquiry
- No office visit needed
- Clear next steps
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