What is Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder is a mental health issue involving recurring, unexpected panic attacks, affecting roughly 2.7% of US adults. The impact of these symptoms can cause significant distress and alter life patterns.

The frequency and severity of panic attacks can vary greatly between individuals. Besides panic attacks, people with panic disorder often worry about future panic attacks and the symptoms experienced during them, like chest pain and feelings of detachment or unreality.

Those affected may modify their daily routines to avert panic attacks, potentially avoiding people, places, or situations believed to trigger these episodes. The symptoms of panic disorder aren’t caused by other medical or mental health conditions or substance abuse.

A panic attack is an intense fear or discomfort surge, peaking within minutes and manifesting various symptoms. The American Psychological Association lists potential symptoms as:

Heart palpitations or rapid heart rate
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Shortness of breath or smothering feelings
Choking sensation
Chest discomfort or pain
Nausea or abdominal distress
Dizziness, unsteadiness, light-headedness or fainting
Chills or heat sensations
Numbness or tingling sensations
Feeling detached from oneself or experiencing unreality
Fears of losing control, going mad, or dying

Recovery Starts Here

Causes and Risk Factors

Typically, panic disorder symptoms start between ages 20-24. Those prone to negative emotions or worry about anxiety’s harmful effects, those with prior sub-threshold panic experiences, individuals with a history of childhood abuse, smokers, and those with respiratory illnesses are at higher risk. Identifiable stressors like relationship issues or health concerns often precede symptoms. Children of parents with anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorders are also at increased risk of developing panic disorder.

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How We Treat

Resilience DBT & Eating Recovery is a group of outpatient therapists based in New Jersey, Florida, and Maryland, offering services for mental health issues, including panic disorder. Our team, proficient in various treatments like DBT, CBT, CBT-E, Family-Based Therapy, and Expressive Arts Therapies, tailors the therapy to individual needs. If you’re grappling with panic attacks and require treatment, reach out to learn how we can assist you.

How do I begin?

Our team is dually and expertly trained in the Treatment of Eating Disorders and DBT for Mental Health. Our Evidenced-Based approaches include FBT, CBT-E, DBT-ED, and Comprehensive DBT for co-occurring mental health conditions. Our outpatient practice has helped Children, Teens and Adults achieve full Eating Disorder Recovery and Mental Health Stability for over 25 years.

1

Schedule your 15 minute free phone consultation

This phone screening is highly confidential to help determine if coming to the Resilience practice is the best course for you or your loved one.

2

Complete an Expert and Comprehensive Intake

During your intake appointment we will gather more information to identify your stressors and needs. And work with you to develop your resilience treatment plan.