Condition guide
Panic Attacks
Sudden terror your body treats as a genuine emergency
Overview
A panic attack is an abrupt surge of intense fear that peaks within minutes and produces powerful physical symptoms — racing heart, breathlessness, chest pain, dizziness, a sense of impending doom.
Panic disorder develops when fear of the next attack starts driving your decisions and you begin avoiding places where one might happen. CBT for panic is among the most effective treatments in mental health, often producing substantial change in 8–12 sessions.
Common symptoms
- Pounding or racing heart
- Shortness of breath or a choking sensation
- Chest pain or tightness
- Trembling, sweating, or chills
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Derealization or feeling detached from yourself
- Fear of dying or losing control
- Persistent worry about the next attack
Causes and risk factors
- Oversensitive threat-detection and alarm circuitry
- Catastrophic misinterpretation of normal bodily sensations
- Genetic predisposition and family history
- Major stress, trauma, or life transition
- Stimulants, caffeine, nicotine, and sleep deprivation
- Avoidance behavior that strengthens the fear loop
Treatment options we offer
- CBT for panic, including interoceptive exposure
- Psychoeducation about what panic physically is and isn't
- Breathing and regulation skills
- Gradual reversal of avoidance and agoraphobic patterns
- Medical screening to rule out cardiac and thyroid causes
Therapy approaches used
- CBT with interoceptive exposure
- Applied relaxation and breathing retraining
- EMDR when panic is trauma-linked
- Relapse prevention
How TMS fits in
TMS is not a panic disorder treatment. It may be relevant if depression has developed alongside panic and hasn't responded to medication.
Learn more about TMS therapyFrequently asked questions
Services that treat Panic Attacks
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Tell us what you've tried. We'll confirm eligibility, verify your benefits, and map out what treatment would look like.