Panic Disorder Treatment

Panic attacks can happen in an instant and without warning, leaving you feeling trapped in a moment of intense fear and uncertainty. At Hanly Center, we understand how debilitating this can be. We’re here to help you take back control of your life with compassionate, evidence-based treatments designed specifically for managing panic disorder.

If you have panic disorder, you can regain peace and balance. We can help.

Understanding Panic Disorder: More Than Just Anxiety

What Is Panic Disorder? Defining Unexpected and Overwhelming Panic Attacks

A panic disorder is a mental and behavioral health disorder that commonly begins in the late teens or early adulthood. It causes individuals to experience frequent and unexpected waves of fear, discomfort, or panic.

These symptoms may appear as often as several times a day, even when there is no clear danger or trigger.

Panic Attacks vs. Anxiety Attacks: Understanding the Key Differences

Anxiety attacks are not a formal medical condition. However, if you experience persistent anxiety or panic attacks, your healthcare provider may diagnose you with an anxiety disorder. People with anxiety disorders have an increased risk of having a panic attack. 

Key differences between panic attacks and anxiety attacks include:

• The cause
  Anxiety attacks often have an external stressor. Panic attacks most often occur unexpectedly.
• The level of distress
  Anxiety can be mild, moderate, or severe. Panic attacks are always intense experiences that can stop you in your tracks.
• The fight or flight response
  During a panic attack, the body’s autonomous fight or flight response takes over, and physical symptoms are often more intense than anxiety.
• The speed of onset
  Unlike anxiety attacks, panic attacks often occur abruptly without warning and may last a few minutes or hours.
• The effect
  Pani attacks may trigger intense worries or fears related to having another attack. This can lead to avoiding certain places, situations, or people.

What Are the Common Symptoms of a Panic Attack?

Common symptoms of a panic attack include:

• Apprehension and worry
• Fear of dying or losing control
• Detachment from reality or oneself
• Chest pain and heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in the throat
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Sweating, chills, or hot flashes
• Nausea, abdominal pain
• Trembling or shaking

How Panic Disorder Affects Daily Life: Beyond the Panic Attacks

As panic attacks become more frequent, severe, or longer-lasting, you may find it very difficult to cope with everyday life, work, or school or thrive in social settings.

This can lead to social isolation, avoidance, irritability, or even substance use.

The Connection Between Panic Disorder and Substance Use Disorders

Self-Medication: Why People With Panic Disorder Turn to Substances for Relief

Living with panic disorder means facing overwhelming and unpredictable periods of anxiety that can feel impossible to manage. Many turn to substances like alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs to find temporary relief and relaxation.

The Agoraphobia Trap: How Panic Disorder Can Limit Your World

Panic disorder and agoraphobia are distinct but often co-occurring anxiety disorders. While panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, agoraphobia is an intense fear of open spaces or being placed in situations where it may be difficult to escape.

Agoraphobia often occurs as a complication of panic disorder and causes people to avoid situations or places that might cause panic or feelings of being trapped, helpless, or embarrassed.

The Vicious Cycle: How Substance Use Can Worsen Symptoms

Those struggling with the daily challenges of panic disorder are more likely to reach for substances to help alleviate symptoms. While these may help in the short term, they can worsen feelings of distress, fear, and worry over time.

Substances like alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs can alter the brain’s chemistry, creating an imbalance. This imbalance contributes to panic disorder and worsening symptoms.

Recognizing the Signs of Co-Occurring Panic Disorder and SUD

Symptoms of panic disorder and substance use disorder can overlap and worsen one another. Here are some warning signs to watch for:

• Self-medicating to alleviate symptoms of panic attacks.
• More frequent or higher doses of substances like alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs to alleviate panic disorder symptoms.
• Social isolation and avoiding certain places, situations, or people because of panic disorder while using substances to cope with those feelings.
• Increased anxiety and restlessness.
• Increased substance use to deal with the fear of having a panic attack.
• Difficulties in daily life as both conditions worsen (e.g., poor performance at work, school, or social situations)
• Increase in mood swings or depressive episodes.