Panic Disorder

What is Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder involves sudden, intense panic attacks — racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness — that can feel like a medical emergency. After a few episodes, many people develop a fear of future attacks, which can lead to significant changes in behavior and daily life.

What It Can Look Like

• Out-of-nowhere waves of fear with a pounding heart, chest tightness, or dizziness
• A feeling that you're losing control or that something terrible is happening to you
• Constant worry about when the next attack will hit
• Avoiding places or situations where you've had attacks

How I Can Help

Exposure therapy is the primary treatment. We’ll work on facing both the physical sensations of panic (interoceptive exposure) and the situations you’ve been avoiding. The goal is to learn through experience that panic, while uncomfortable, isn’t dangerous. People are often surprised to learn that as they become more willing to experience panic symptoms, they experience fewer panic attacks.