A panic attack is a sudden wave of intense fear or discomfort, often with powerful physical sensations, that can happen even when there’s no clear danger. A single panic attack doesn’t necessarily mean panic disorder. With panic disorder, attacks happen repeatedly and unexpectedly, and the fear of the next one can start to shape where you go and what you do.
Panic disorder is one of the anxiety conditions we treat at The Anxiety Treatment Center of Greenwich. If panic attacks, or the fear of having one, are affecting your life or your child’s, we’re here to help. You can also explore other signs and types of anxiety on our Understanding Anxiety page.
Panic attacks often build quickly and can last from a few minutes to an hour. Because the physical sensations can be so intense, it’s important to have new or unexplained symptoms checked by a medical provider. Common symptoms include:
A pounding or racing heart, chest pain, or a feeling of being short of breath or choking.
Trembling, sweating or chills, weakness or dizziness, and tingling or numbness in the hands.
Stomach pain or nausea that comes on quickly and adds to the feeling that something is wrong.
A sense of losing control, or a fear of dying or that something terrible is about to happen.
Panic disorder often isn’t only about the attacks themselves. Many people begin to worry about when the next one will happen or what it might mean, and start avoiding places where panic has struck before, like a crowded store, a highway or a train. Over time, that avoidance can make daily life feel smaller. Some people also develop agoraphobia, an intense fear of situations where it might feel hard to leave or get help.
Panic disorder often begins in the late teens or early adulthood, so it can surface during high school and college years as well as later in life. If your anxiety feels more like constant, everyday worry, you may want to read about generalized anxiety disorder.
Panic disorder is treatable. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely considered a gold-standard treatment, and exposure-based approaches can help people gradually face the situations and sensations they have come to fear, so panic loses some of its power.
At our practice, CBT and exposure therapy are core parts of our evidence-based anxiety care. Exposure work happens gradually, in a safe and supportive environment, and when appropriate, care can also include careful, collaborative medication support. Every plan is shaped around the individual’s age, symptoms and goals. Learn more about our treatment and therapy options.
Getting started with our Greenwich-area practice is straightforward.
Treatment is tailored to your age, symptoms and goals.
Panic attack symptoms such as chest pain, a racing heart or shortness of breath can feel very physical. If you have new, severe or unexplained symptoms, seek medical care to rule out other causes, and call 911 if you think it may be an emergency.
A panic attack is an episode of intense fear with physical and emotional symptoms. Panic disorder involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, plus at least a month of worrying about future attacks, fearing what they mean or changing behavior to avoid them.
Yes. Psychotherapy, especially CBT, medication or a combination may be used. With the right treatment and support, people with panic disorder can manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Yes. Panic disorder often begins in the late teens or early adulthood. We provide specialized care for adolescents as well as children and adults.
We don’t bill insurance directly, but we encourage you to explore your out-of-network benefits. Our services are generally reimbursed by health savings accounts.
If panic attacks, or the fear of them, are holding you back, we’d be glad to talk. Call our office at (203) 769-1365 or reach out through our contact page.
We provide expert diagnosis and evidence-based treatment for anxiety disorders in children, adolescents, and adults—helping individuals and families move forward with clarity and confidence.
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