Find a Therapist for Panic Disorder

What is a panic attack?

A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or discomfort that peaks within minutes. During an attack, your body may feel like it's in immediate danger—even if there’s no real threat.

Common symptoms include:

• Rapid heartbeat or chest pain
• Shortness of breath or choking sensation
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Sweating, shaking, or chills
• Nausea or stomach upset
• Numbness or tingling
• Feeling detached from reality (derealization) or from yourself (depersonalization)
• Fear of dying or “going crazy”

Panic attacks can feel terrifying, and many people end up in emergency rooms thinking they’re having a heart attack. A therapist for panic attacks can help you learn to manage these episodes and reduce their frequency over time.

How do I know if I have panic disorder? 

It’s common to experience a panic attack at some point in life, especially during periods of intense stress. However, panic disorder is different—it involves recurring, unexpected panic attacks and persistent anxiety about when the next one might occur.

You might have panic disorder if:

• Panic attacks happen suddenly, without an obvious trigger
• You constantly worry about having more attacks
• You’ve started avoiding places, situations, or activities for fear they might cause a panic attack
• The fear of panic is interfering with your daily life, work, or relationships

These patterns often create a cycle: fear of the attack leads to anxiety, which increases physical symptoms, which then fuel more panic. A qualified therapist for panic disorder can help you identify whether your symptoms meet clinical criteria and start working toward relief.

If you’re unsure, don’t wait until it worsens. Early treatment can break the cycle and help you feel safe in your body again.

Recognizing the symptoms

​​Beyond the panic attacks themselves, panic disorder can create a cycle of anxiety and avoidance that impacts everyday functioning. You may:

• Constantly worry about when or where the next attack will occur
• Avoid physical activity or stimulating environments
• Change your daily routine to avoid triggering situations
• Experience chronic stress or hypervigilance
• Feel exhausted or “on edge” much of the time

These patterns are exhausting and limiting—but they are also treatable. With the help of a therapist for panic attacks, you can learn strategies to reduce your symptoms and regain your sense of freedom.

What do the diagnostic criteria mean?

According to the DSM-5, panic disorder involves:

1. Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks
2. At least one month of persistent concern about having more attacks or their consequences (e.g., losing control, having a heart attack)
3. Significant behavioral changes related to the attacks (e.g., avoidance)

It’s important to distinguish panic disorder from other anxiety-related conditions. A licensed provider can make an accurate diagnosis and recommend treatment tailored to your needs.

Getting diagnosed

Diagnosis typically involves:

• A clinical interview to explore your medical and mental health history
• Ruling out medical conditions that mimic panic (e.g., heart or thyroid issues)
• Use of screening tools or questionnaires

Many people delay diagnosis out of embarrassment or fear, but seeking help is a powerful first step. A therapist for panic disorder can guide you through this process with compassion and clarity.

What causes panic disorder?

Panic disorder can develop for a number of reasons. It's often a combination of genetic vulnerability, temperament, and life stressors.

Contributing factors may include:

• Genetics: A family history of anxiety or panic increases risk.
• Brain chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin or norepinephrine may play a role.
• Life events: Major stress, trauma, or loss can trigger the onset of panic attacks.
• Personality traits: People who are more sensitive to stress or prone to catastrophic thinking may be more vulnerable.

While panic disorder can feel unpredictable and frightening, understanding its origins is a key part of healing. A skilled therapist for panic attacks will help you explore your triggers and develop a treatment plan that empowers you.

How do I treat panic disorder?

Panic disorder is highly treatable. The most effective treatment often involves a combination of therapy, lifestyle changes, and, when appropriate, medication.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for panic attacks is the gold standard. CBT helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that fuel panic. You’ll learn:

• How to reframe catastrophic thoughts
• Techniques to ride out panic without fear
• How to gradually face feared situations (exposure therapy)

CBT doesn’t just reduce panic—it teaches you how to prevent it. Many people experience significant improvement within a few months of consistent therapy.

A form of CBT, cognitive therapy for panic attacks focuses specifically on thought patterns. It helps you understand how your brain misinterprets normal bodily sensations (like a racing heart) as dangerous, and how to correct those misinterpretations.

Additional Treatment Approaches:

• Relaxation techniques (e.g., deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation)
• Mindfulness and acceptance-based therapy
• Lifestyle changes (exercise, sleep hygiene, reducing caffeine and alcohol)
• Medications (SSRIs or benzodiazepines, under medical supervision)

A therapist for panic disorder will work with you to choose the best combination of tools for your specific symptoms and goals.

How can others help me during a panic attack?

Support from loved ones during a panic attack can make a big difference. Here are some helpful approaches:

• Stay calm and present; reassure them they’re safe.
• Speak gently: “This will pass. You’re not alone.”
• Remind them to breathe slowly with you.
• Avoid telling them to “calm down” or “snap out of it”—these comments can increase fear.
• Ask what they need: Some prefer silence, others may want distraction or grounding techniques.

If someone in your life has panic disorder, consider joining them for a session with their therapist for panic attacks to learn how to support their recovery.

Who can treat panic disorder?

​​A variety of professionals can help:

• Therapists for panic disorder: Often psychologists, counselors, or clinical social workers trained in CBT or anxiety-specific treatments
• Psychiatrists: Can diagnose and prescribe medications
• Primary care providers: May offer initial support and referrals

Look for providers experienced in cognitive behavioral therapy for panic attacks or cognitive therapy for panic attacks—these approaches have the strongest evidence base.

Can panic disorder be cured?

Yes, many people fully recover from panic disorder and no longer experience panic attacks. Others may have occasional symptoms but know how to manage them effectively.

Importantly, you don’t have to take medication forever. Some people use medication short-term to reduce symptoms while learning coping skills in therapy. Once confident, they may taper off meds under a provider’s supervision.

Panic disorder is not a life sentence. With proper treatment, most people see lasting improvements and return to living full, confident lives.

What is the difference between panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder?

While both are anxiety disorders, they differ in key ways:

Panic Disorder:

• Involves sudden, intense episodes of fear (panic attacks)
• Includes fear of future attacks and avoidance behaviors
• Can occur “out of the blue” with no clear trigger

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

• Involves chronic, excessive worry about a variety of topics
• Tends to be more constant and diffuse
• May cause restlessness, tension, sleep issues, or irritability

Some people have both conditions. A qualified therapist for panic disorder can help clarify your symptoms and guide you toward appropriate care.

What is agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help wouldn’t be available during a panic attack. It often develops when people begin avoiding places or activities they associate with previous panic attacks.

Examples include:

• Crowded malls or theaters
• Public transportation
• Driving long distances
• Being alone outside the home

Agoraphobia can be highly limiting—but it’s also treatable. Exposure therapy, a key component of CBT, helps you gradually face feared situations and retrain your brain to feel safe.

Should I avoid what triggers my panic attacks?

Avoidance may feel like a short-term solution, but it often makes panic worse in the long run. When you avoid situations, your brain never learns that they are safe—so the fear remains.

Instead, working with a therapist for panic disorder trained in exposure therapy can help you:

• Gradually confront feared situations at your own pace
• Build confidence and reduce anxiety
• Retrain your brain’s panic response

Facing fear is hard—but with support, it becomes a path to freedom.

Why does a panic attack feel like a heart attack?

Panic attacks and heart attacks share many physical symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. This is because both activate the body’s fight-or-flight response.

During a panic attack, your brain interprets a non-dangerous situation as a threat. Adrenaline surges, preparing your body to flee—but without a real danger to escape, the sensations become overwhelming.

While panic attacks are not life-threatening, they feel very real. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are medical or psychological, it’s always a good idea to get checked by a doctor first. Once ruled out, a therapist for panic attacks can help you understand and manage these intense episodes.

You don’t have to live in fear of your next panic attack. Whether you’re looking for a therapist for panic disorder, exploring cognitive behavioral therapy for panic attacks, or curious about cognitive therapy for panic attacks, help is available—and healing is possible.