Therapy for Panic Disorder in Glendale, Queens

Are you feeling overwhelmed by sudden waves of panic that seem to come out of nowhere with no explanation? Whether you’ve experienced just one or many, panic attacks can be an unsettling experience. Luckily, panic disorder is treatable with therapy.

At Marsh Psychotherapy in New York, we offer online therapy for panic disorder to help you better understand and manage sudden waves of anxiety and panic attacks. Our approach to panic disorder treatment focuses on identifying triggers, building effective coping strategies, and addressing the underlying emotional patterns that contribute to panic in a supportive, non-judgmental space.

Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that’s characterized by recurrent and sudden panic attacks that occur without any danger present or obvious reason to warrant the episode. These moments of intense fear or discomfort can last from a few minutes to 30 minutes or more. Physical symptoms vary from person to person, but typically include shortness of breath, racing heart or heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, or trembling.

While panic attacks aren’t directly threatening, they can be a scary experience that significantly affects a person’s quality of life. These episodes and the resulting emotional symptoms can leave an individual feeling isolated and exhausted. Individuals with panic disorder may develop a fear of future attacks, which can lead to avoidance of certain situations or behaviors. Thankfully, therapy and medication, when necessary, can offer real relief from panic disorder.

Panic disorder is typically caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. A family history of anxiety, neurotransmitter imbalances, difficulty setting boundaries, and stressful or conflict-heavy relationships can all increase risk. Major life stressors or traumatic events may also trigger panic attacks, and fear of future attacks can lead to avoidance patterns that reinforce the cycle. Understanding these factors can help identify triggers and guide effective treatment.

Panic disorder and ensuing attacks can look a little different for everyone. However, generally, they present with physical symptoms.

Oftentimes, panic disorder will present as a combination of these physical symptoms.

Everyone’s experience with panic disorder and their ensuing panic attacks will be a little different.

Common symptoms of panic disorder:

• Heart palpitations
• Increased heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Choking sensation
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Trembling or shaking
• Sweating
• Hot flashes or chills
• Nausea

Less-obvious symptoms of panic disorder:

• Obsessive thinking
• Catastrophizing
• Suspicion
• Low trust
• Insecure attachment
• Passivity
• Avoidant behavior
• Persistent worry
• Fear of losing control
• Feelings of detachment

While panic disorder can present in many different ways, the important thing is that it’s treatable. With a combination of therapy and medication if necessary, most panic disorder symptoms can be mitigated.

Various therapeutic approaches can effectively treat panic disorder and are often tailored to an individual’s specific triggers and needs. Common approaches include:

Interpersonal Psychotherapy integrates psychodynamic principles with a focus on relationships, helping individuals understand how emotions, relationships, and panic symptoms interact. It supports improved communication, insight, and management of interpersonal triggers.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices to help manage intense emotions, build distress tolerance, and strengthen coping skills to prevent and reduce panic attacks.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a highly effective treatment that helps individuals identify triggers, challenge core beliefs, and reduce fear through tools like exposure therapy. It also provides practical strategies to manage and deescalate panic symptoms.

A licensed therapist can help determine the most appropriate approach for your needs.

There’s no one-size fits all approach to treating panic disorder. At Marsh Psychotherapy, we approach treatment holistically. Together, we’ll work on bottom-up processes like issues stemming from early relationships, and top-down processes where we’ll address daily stress, triggers, and present-day coping skills to build better cognitive awareness and relationships.

We combine the use of IPT, DBT, and CBT to address various aspects of panic disorder. Our team of skilled therapists is equipped in helping individuals develop practical strategies to cope with stressful situations and manage interpersonal conflicts.