Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder is a mental health condition where a person experiences repeated and unexpected panic attacks—sudden waves of intense fear or discomfort that peak within minutes and feel overwhelming. These episodes can come with strong physical sensations, like a racing heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, sweating, or shaking. Even after the attack ends, the fear of having another one can linger and begin to shape daily life.
While many people have a panic attack at some point in their lives, Panic Disorder is diagnosed when the fear becomes ongoing—leading someone to avoid places, situations, or activities where they worry an attack might happen. This can make simple things like driving, shopping, or going to work feel risky or unsafe.
What is Panic Disorder?
Panic Disorder typically shows up in a few key ways:
- Recurrent panic attacks: Sudden terror or discomfort with strong physical symptoms
- Persistent worry: Ongoing fear of future attacks or their consequences
- Behavioral changes: Avoiding situations that feel triggering or hard to escape
- Physical hyperawareness: Being constantly alert to bodily sensations and misinterpreting them as dangerous
Living with Panic Disorder isn’t about being “overly anxious.” The symptoms feel real and frightening—and they often appear without warning. The good news: with the right treatment and support, panic attacks can become far less frequent and far less disruptive.t doesn’t mean you’re not working harder than most just to stay afloat.
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Common Signs of Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder often includes:
- Sudden panic attacks with intense physical sensations
- Feeling like you’re losing control, having a heart attack, or dying
- Rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, or chest pain
- Lightheadedness or feeling disconnected from reality
- Worrying about when the next attack will happen
- Avoiding situations where panic feels more likely
Symptoms can come on quickly—and feel terrifying—but they are treatable.
Accepted Insurances that Cover Panic Disorder Treatment
What Causes Panic?
There isn’t one single cause. Panic Disorder develops through a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors, including:
- Brain and nervous system response: Heightened sensitivity in the body’s fear and threat systems
- Genetics: Panic Disorder can run in families
- Stress and life transitions: Major stressors or changes can act as triggers
- Cognitive patterns: Misinterpreting normal physical sensations as dangerous can reinforce panic
How We Treat Panic Disorder at Headlight
We take a compassionate, evidence-based approach to help you regain confidence and control.
We offer several treatment options that can be combined and tailored to your needs:
- Therapy: Approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure-Based Therapy help:
- Reduce the fear around bodily sensations
- Break the cycle of panic and avoidance
- Build confidence in facing daily life again
- Medication Management: Some individuals benefit from medications that calm the panic response and support therapy progress. We personalize treatment to your needs and goals.
- Spravato® (esketamine): In some cases, especially when Panic Disorder overlaps with treatment-resistant depression, Spravato may be an option. This FDA-approved medication is administered in-office under medical supervision and may offer relief where other treatments haven’t helped.
Our providers will walk alongside you to explore what combination of support works best. Talk to your clinician about your experience and treatment goals—we’ll build a care plan together.
Headlight Specializes in Panic Disorder Treatment in 6 States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Headlight for?
Headlight is for everyone. Taking care of your mental health is a sign of strength, and choosing to better oneself is an empowering decision. We provide mental health services to those seeking a bright path forward.
What is therapy?
Therapy offers a safe and confidential space for individuals to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. During therapy sessions, your Headlight therapist will actively listen and provide guidance and insights to help you better understand yourself, your relationships, and your challenges. Talk therapy can address a variety of mental health concerns, from anxiety and depression to trauma and relationship issues. Headlight’s clinicians are experienced in various therapeutic approaches and techniques and offer in-person or virtual sessions.
What is the difference between therapy and psychiatry?
Therapy, often provided by psychologists, social workers, or counselors, involves talking through emotional and psychological challenges to gain insight and develop coping strategies. Whereas, psychiatry, typically led by medical doctors, focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues using medication alongside therapy when necessary. While therapy emphasizes conversation and behavioral strategies, psychiatry integrates medication management to address biochemical imbalances in mental health conditions.
Why is it so important to find the right therapist?
Finding the right therapist is so important as it establishes a foundation of trust, creating a safe space for open communication. A well-matched therapist can better understand your individual needs, ensuring personalized support and enhancing the effectiveness of the therapeutic process.
What services do you offer?
Headlight services include therapy, medication management, and Esketamine (Spravato) sessions.
More than 50% of Americans struggle with mental health.
Headlight is now collaborating with health plans and companies to make therapy more accessible and affordable. Get scheduled now.