Mental Health Anxiety

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Learn about panic disorder and panic attacks

A panic disorder is a condition in which a person suffers sudden and frequent unexpected panic attacks. In between these unexpected panic attacks, the person lives in constant overwhelming fear of another attack in his/her everyday life, even when the stressful situation has gone away.

A panic attack is a sudden episode of anxiety and intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no apparent trigger. A common physical symptom of panic attacks is rapid heart rate, or feeling like having a heart attack.

Panic attack causes

The exact causes of panic attack are not known and remain an area of active research. Some research studies suggest panic attacks to be related to the overreaction of the body's "flight or fight" mechanism to stressful situations.

Age

Panic attacks often begin in the teens or early adulthood, and even as early as childhood.

Sex

Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from panic attacks.

Family genetics

Panic attacks tend to run in families, but not all family members will get it.

High-stress situations

Finding yourself in high-stress situations regularly can trigger panic attacks.

Panic attack symptoms

Some physical symptoms of panic attacks include:

Chest pain

Rapid, pounding heart rate

Sweating profusely

Trembling or shaking

Difficulty breathing

Chills

Dizziness

Nausea

Stomach pain

How to treat panic attacks

The primary goals of Panic Attack Treatments aim to reduce the intensity and frequency of panic attacks. First, your doctor may conduct a physical exam to ensure that your current symptoms of panic attack are not due to an unrelated physical problem. The main panic attack treatment options are:

Cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy, is effective in treating panic attacks. A therapist, working with a patient, creates the symptoms of a panic attack in a safe, repetitive manner. The repetitive experiences allow the patient to learn that panic attack symptoms are not threatening. As the patients slowly overcome the unreasonable fear, the frequency and intensity of the attacks begin to reduce. In most successful cases, panic attack symptoms reduce within several weeks, and may go away within several months.
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy is a common non-medicinal method to treat panic attacks. Psychotherapy can help you gain a better understanding of panic attacks and panic disorder. Your therapist will then work with you to develop ways to cope with them.
Medications - anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications are sometimes used to try and manage panic attacks.

Medication for panic attacks

Medications can help reduce symptoms associated with panic attacks. The following types of panic attack and anxiety disorder medications can be prescribed:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Commonly prescribed to treat panic attacks. These medications are generally considered safe with low side effects. It may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for patients to see results. Though not severe, side effects can include (but not limited to) headaches and nausea.

Prozac (Fluoxetine) Zoloft (Sertraline HCl) Paxil

Benzodiazepines

They are FDA approved central nervous system depressants for treating panic attacks. These sedatives are usually not the first choice and also prescribed for a short term as they can cause the patient to develop dependence.

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Anti anxiety medications that can also be prescribed to treat panic attacks. May take a few weeks to start working.

Cymbalta (duloxetine) Effexor

Beta-blockers

Though not common, beta blockers can be prescribed to help control some of the physical symptoms of panic attacks.

Tenormin (Atenolol) Zabeta (Bisoprolol) Toprol (Metoprolol) Corguard (Nadolol) Bystolic (Nebivolol) Inderal (Propranolol)

How to prevent panic attacks

During psychotherapy sessions, a therapist will work with the patient to identify and manage triggering events to prevent the onset of panic attacks. In addition to the strategies recommended by the therapists, some lifestyle changes can also help prevent panic attacks:

Maintain healthy diet
Regular exercise
Reduce caffeine intake
Avoid alcohol and smoking
Get sufficient sleep
Learn stress management techniques - e.g. take yoga or meditation classes

When to see a doctor for panic attacks

See a doctor as soon as possible if you are having panic attack symptoms. The doctor can help you establish an official panic attack diagnosis. This ensures that the symptoms you are experiencing are not due to other health issues. A professional diagnosis is the first step to effective treatment. With the panic attack diagnosed, the doctor or a mental health specialist can work with you to develop treatment and management strategies.

Panic attack treatment FAQs

What is the best treatment for panic attacks?

Psychotherapy is a common effective non-medicinal method to treat panic attacks and panic disorder. Psychotherapy can help you gain a better understanding of what triggers your attacks. Your therapist will then work with you to develop ways to cope with them. In most cases, panic attack symptoms reduce within several weeks, and may go away within several months.

What is the best prescription medication for panic disorder?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed to treat panic attacks. These medications are generally considered safe, effective with little side effects. Examples are Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline HCl), Paroxetine (Paxil).

Can panic attacks be treated?

Yes, panic attacks can be treated. The main panic disorder treatment options are:

Cognitive behavioral therapy / psychotherapy - Psychotherapy is a common effective non-medicinal method to treat panic attacks. Working with a therapist, psychotherapy can help you gain a better understanding of the panic attacks and develop effective management plans.
Anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications - Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline HCl), Paroxetine (Paxil) can be prescribed to help treat panic attacks. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are anti anxiety medications that can also be prescribed to treat panic disorder. Both SSRIs and SNRIs may take a few weeks to start working and have side effects so be sure to have a conversation with your doctor before taking these medications.

Are panic attacks the same as anxiety?

Anxiety disorders are mental illnesses that cause the patients to suffer constant/persistent anxiety and fear. As such, panic attacks is actually a type of anxiety disorder. Other common types of anxiety disorders are: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What is the difference between panic disorder and a panic attack?

A panic attack is a sudden episode of anxiety and intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no apparent trigger. `Most people experience panic attacks once or twice in their lifetime, and panic attacks are also symptoms of other anxiety disorders. However, if you have suffered from four or more panic attacks, and is constantly worrying about the next one, you are suffering from panic disorder.

Step 1

Book a panic attack treatment appointment.

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Step 2

Talk to your medical provider regarding your panic attack symptoms.

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Step 3

Pick up a prescription to treat panic attacks.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

Related conditions to panic disorder and panic attacks

Some other health conditions are related to panic attacks, and can show up before, during or after someone is suffering from a panic attack.

Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are mental illnesses that cause the patients to suffer constant/persistent anxiety and fear. Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

When a person suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, he/she displays compulsive behaviors due to unreasonable thoughts and fears. For example, constant hand washing due to fear of germs.

Post traumatic stress disorder

PTSD is a mental health condition brought about by experiences with traumatic events such as a serious accident, war, natural disaster. Symptoms can include persistent nightmares, anxiety and depression.

Depression

The anxiety and depression association has been observed and researched. With anxiety disorders, the patient suffers persistent anxiety and fear. On the other hand, with depression, the patient can have symptoms such as feeling down, sad, irritable or fatigue. While anxiety disorder and depression have distinctive symptoms, they commonly occur together.

Social anxiety disorders

When a person suffers from social anxiety disorder, everyday social interactions will bring about anxiety and fear. It is a comorbidity that commonly occurs together with panic disorder.

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