Panic Disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by sudden, out of the blue, overwhelming anxiety along with feelings of terror and extreme physical symptoms. These can include:

• • A Racing Heart
  • Sweating
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Numbness or Tingling in the Body
  • Chest Pain
  • Tremor
  • Feelings of Losing Control.

About 2-3 percent of Americans experience panic disorder in a given year. Panic disorder can interfere a lot with daily life, causing people to miss work, go to many doctor visits, and avoid situations where they fear they might experience a panic attack.

Panic attacks are sometimes caused by a physical condition such a thyroid or cardiac condition. These physical causes should be ruled out prior to psychiatric treatment. The treatment goal in these cases is to reduce the frequency and intensity of the panic episodes. There are 3 primary classes of medications available to treat panic attacks and your experienced prescriber will use her medical expertise to select the best option for you.

In addition to medication, there are lifestyle changes which can be very effective. These include avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, increasing physical activity, and getting enough sleep. Avoiding smoking and the use of recreational drugs may also help reduce panic attacks.