PANIC DISORDERS IN TX, WA, NM, OR, AZ AND Virginia

Panic disorder begins in your teens or early 20s, causing sudden panic attacks that trigger ongoing and severe anxiety over having another attack. Our providers at Ease Psychiatry have extensive experience diagnosing panic disorder and providing holistic treatment that helps you return to daily life without the fear of another panic attack. To schedule an in-person or telemedicine appointment, call the office in Duncanville, Texas, Vancouver, Washington and Dike, Iowa or use the online booking feature today.

What is panic disorder?

Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that occurs when you have repeated panic attacks. These panic attacks are often unexpected, but they may be triggered by situations or things that cause anxiety.

When you have a panic disorder, your panic attack is followed by an intense fear of having another attack. You feel so anxious over the possibility of another panic attack that you change your daily habits, purposefully avoiding any person, place, or thing you believe will trigger the attack.

What are the symptoms of a panic disorder?

Recurring panic attacks are the hallmark symptoms of panic disorder. However, the frequency and number of attacks vary for each person.

Panic attacks suddenly occur and rapidly intensify, causing physical and psychological symptoms that peak within a few minutes.

During a panic attack, you may experience any of the following:

  • Palpitations (pounding heart, fast heartbeat, fluttering heart)
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Shortness of breath
  • Choking sensation
  • Chest pain
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Fear of dying
  • Tingling or numbness
  • Cold or hot sensations
  • Feeling detached from reality

Many people describe their symptoms as feeling like they’re having a heart attack.

How is panic disorder treated?

Panic attacks often occur as symptoms of other mental health disorders or possibly a physical condition. As a result, your provider reviews your medical history and symptoms and completes a thorough psychological assessment. They identify any possible concerns to be sure you get the best treatment.

Some people need anti-anxiety medication to prevent another panic attack or quickly relieve their symptoms when one occurs. However, your provider prescribes these medications for a limited time because they’re potentially addictive.

Therapy can help you fully heal by targeting the reason for the anxiety underlying your panic attacks. One type of therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, focuses on identifying and changing any faulty thinking patterns and learned behaviors that contribute to your anxiety and panic attacks.

The team also offers holistic treatment, an approach that works well for panic disorder because it targets other aspects of your life that contribute to anxiety. For example, stress reduction goes a long way toward eliminating panic attacks.

Don’t wait to get treatment that can free you from the fear of panic disorder. Call Ease Psychiatry or book an appointment online today.