Compassionate Evaluation & Evidence-Based Treatment for Panic Attacks
Panic disorder is more than anxiety — it involves sudden, intense episodes of fear that often feel physical, overwhelming, and impossible to control. These episodes, known as panic attacks, can be so frightening that many people fear they are dying, fainting, or having a medical emergency.
At Arizona Mental Wellness, our psychiatric team provides comprehensive evaluation, medication support, and evidence-based strategies to help you understand your symptoms, regulate your nervous system, and feel safe in your body again.
Panic disorder is highly treatable — and you don’t have to live in fear of the next attack.
What Is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder occurs when someone experiences:
- Ongoing physical or emotional distress
- Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
- Persistent worry about future attacks
- Avoidance of places, sensations, or situations
Compassionate Expert Support
Panic attacks are real physiological events driven by a sudden surge of adrenaline — not weakness or overreaction.
Many clients describe episodes as:
- “I feel something terrible is about to happen.”
- “I feel like I’m dying.”
- “I can’t breathe.”
- “I’m losing control.”
Psychiatric care helps interrupt the cycle and restore confidence.
Common Symptoms of Panic Attacks
Physical Symptoms
- Feeling “out of body” or detached
- Chest pressure or pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Racing or pounding heart
- Shaking or trembling
- Hot or cold flashes
- Nausea
- Tingling in hands or face
Cognitive/Emotional Symptoms
- Fear of the next attack
- Fear of dying
- Fear of fainting
- Fear of losing control
- Catastrophic thinking
Even though panic attacks feel dangerous, they are treatable and manageable.
Experience a supportive approach tailored to your unique needs, fostering hope and stability throughout recovery.
Medication Options for Panic Disorder
Medication can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks, helping you regain emotional and physical stability.
SSRIs (First-line Treatment)
Regulate serotonin pathways involved in panic:
Sertraline
Escitalopram
Paroxetine
Fluoxetine
Citalopram
These are the safest, most evidence-based long-term treatments.
SNRIs (Alternative First-Line)
Regulate both serotonin and norepinephrine:
Venlafaxine XR
Duloxetine
Helpful when panic includes strong physical symptoms.
Benzodiazepines (Short-term, Situational Only)
Used cautiously and temporarily:
Lorazepam
Clonazepam
Alprazolam (less preferred)
Not recommended for long-term treatment due to dependence risk
Beta-Blockers
Reduce physical panic symptoms:
- Rapid heart rate
- Trembling
- Adrenaline surges
Helpful for performance-related or situational panic.
Adjunctive Medications
For complex or resistant cases:
- Sleep-supportive medications
- Nervous system regulators
- Agents that target hyperarousal
Medication decisions are collaborative, based on safety and symptom pattern.
Psychiatric Evaluation for Panic Disorder
Your psychiatrist will assess:
- Frequency, duration, and type of panic attacks
- Unexpected vs. situational triggers
- Avoidance patterns
- Sleep disruption
- Co-occurring anxiety
- Trauma history
- Medical conditions (thyroid, cardiac, respiratory)
- Medication or substance-related contributors
- Overlapping diagnoses such as:
Evaluation helps determine whether symptoms reflect panic disorder, another anxiety condition, or a medical issue..
How Psychiatry Helps Beyond Medication
We support recovery by helping you:
- Understand the physiology of panic
- Break the fear-of-fear cycle
- Reduce catastrophic thoughts
- Recognize early warning signs
- Rebuild trust in bodily sensations
- Restore sleep and energy
- Address trauma-related patterns
- Stabilize co-occurring anxiety disorders
- Create a personalized coping plan
These foundations make treatment both faster and more long-lasting.
Support for Neurodivergent Clients
Panic disorder often co-occurs with:
Our neurodiversity-affirming approach considers:
- Sensory triggers
- Executive functioning patterns
- Fight/flight reactivity
- Internal communication differences
- Interoceptive challenges
We meet you exactly where you are.
When to Seek Psychiatric Support
You may benefit from care if you experience:
- Sudden, intense panic attacks
- Fear of having another attack
- Avoidance of driving, crowds, or public places
- Sleep disruption from anxiety
- Feeling unsafe in your body
- Depersonalization or derealization
- Panic that seems “medical” in nature
- Panic connected to trauma
- Worsening symptoms despite coping efforts
There is no wrong time to seek help.
Discover Effective Panic Disorder Care
You Can Recover From Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is one of the most treatable anxiety conditions.
With the right psychiatric support, many clients experience rapid improvement — and some achieve full remission.
You deserve calm, confidence, and peace in your daily life.
A: A psychiatric provider evaluates your panic symptoms, identifies triggers, rules out medical causes, and creates an individualized treatment plan. This may include medication, nervous-system regulation strategies, and support for co-occurring conditions like anxiety or insomnia.
A: SSRIs and SNRIs are the primary long-term treatments for panic disorder. Short-term medications may be used briefly during the early phase of treatment. Your provider will tailor medication based on safety, symptoms, and personal history.
A: Panic attacks feel frightening but are not medically dangerous. However, they can significantly impact daily functioning. A psychiatric evaluation helps differentiate panic symptoms from medical conditions and provides relief strategies.
A: Panic disorder involves recurring panic attacks paired with ongoing fear of future episodes or avoidance behaviors. A psychiatric provider can assess whether symptoms meet diagnostic criteria and recommend effective treatment.
A: Yes. While medication reduces physical and emotional intensity, therapy (such as CBT or exposure-based approaches) helps break the panic cycle. Combined treatment leads to the best long-term outcomes.