Panic disorder involves sudden, intense episodes of fear that feel overwhelming and out of your control. These panic attacks can be frightening, often coming with physical symptoms that feel like a medical emergency.

What panic disorder can feel like

Common symptoms include:

• Racing heart, chest tightness, or shortness of breath

• Dizziness, shaking, or feeling faint

• A sense of unreality or detachment

• Fear of “going crazy,” losing control, or dying

• Avoidance of places where panic has happened before

• Constant worry about the next attack

Panic disorder is highly treatable, even if it doesn’t feel that way during the moment.

How treatment can help

Treatment often includes:

• Medications to reduce panic frequency and intensity

• Understanding the body’s fight-or-flight response

• Breathing and grounding strategies

• Reducing “anticipatory anxiety”

• Gradual confidence-building to reclaim avoided places or activities

The goal is to help your body feel safe again — not just manage symptoms.

How BLT Tele Psychiatry supports panic disorder

At BLT Tele Psychiatry:

• We focus on stabilizing symptoms and restoring a sense of control

• We discuss medication options, including both short-term and long-term treatments

• We help you understand your panic cycle so it feels less unpredictable

• We encourage pairing medication with therapy for the best outcomes

• Lifestyle adjustments — including breathing practices, caffeine reduction, sleep stabilization, and daily grounding strategies — often reduce symptoms alongside medication.

All care is virtual and available to adults in New York State.

If panic is shaping your day-to-day decisions, you don’t have to navigate it alone.