Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder Treatment Specialist in Boulder, CO

Delos Psychiatry provides panic disorder treatments as our highly trained team helps you to tackle the symptoms of panic attacks. To consult our psychiatrists, call us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 2501 Walnut St. Suite 204 Boulder, CO 80302. We serve patients from Boulder CO, Denver CO, Silverthorne CO, Longmont CO, Superior CO, Lafayette CO, Broomfield CO, Erie CO, and Niwot CO.

What is Panic Disorder?

Panic Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by periods of intense fear or anxiety, usually accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest pain. People with Panic Disorder often live in constant fear of having another attack, and may avoid situations where they believe an attack could occur. They also worry about the consequences of having panic attacks, such as having a panic attack in a situation where they need to perform at their best (work, school).

What causes Panic Disorder?

The exact cause of Panic Disorder is unknown, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. People with a family history of Panic Disorder or other anxiety disorders are more likely to develop the condition. Additionally, stressful life events such as a death in the family or a divorce can trigger the onset of Panic Disorder. Other risk factors include smoking, childhood abuse, and substance abuse. Women are twice as likely as men to have Panic Disorder, and the onset is usually in their late teens or early twenties. There is evidence that the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for the fight, flight, or freeze mechanism, is overactivated in those with Panic Disorder. Several chemical imbalances, such as low serotonin or GABA, have been associated with Panic Disorder.

What are the symptoms of Panic Disorder?

The most common symptom of Panic Disorder is having recurrent panic attacks. A panic attack is a period of intense fear or anxiety that comes on suddenly and typically lasts for several minutes. During a panic attack, people may experience physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating, and dizziness. Panic attacks can also cause people to feel detached from reality, as if they are watching themselves from outside their bodies. Many people who experience these attacks believe they are having a heart attack or other life-threatening physical illness. In addition to panic attacks, to make a diagnosis of Panic Disorder there needs to be a month after the panic attack in which the patient experiences concern about having additional attacks, concern about the consequences of additional attacks, or a significant change in behavior related to the attacks.

How is Panic Disorder treated?

Panic Disorder is typically treated with medication, mindfullness, and therapy. SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhbitors, work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, leading to an increase in the overall amount of serotonin between neurons. These medications take 4-6 weeks to show full effects, and are often paired with benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines increase the activity of GABA receptors, which then inhibit the part of the brain that senses danger called the limbic system. Benzodiazepines are often not used long term due to their effects on memory and the quick tolerance that develops. Other medications used for Panic Disorder include MAO-Inhibitors, SNRIs, mood stabilizers, and dopamine antagonists. Therapy focuses on visualization or real-life exposure to triggers as well as mindfulness and meditation to decrease the overactivity of the nervous system.

If you’re looking for a Panic Disorder treatment specialist near you, consider contacting Delos Psychiatry. Finding a specialist that you trust and that you can have open, honest conversations is essential in treating this disorder. Delos Psychiatry can treat you with the highest level of respect, kindness, and compassion. Our psychiatrists have the advanced training needed to treat your Panic Disorder with a combination of mindfulness and behavioral therapies. If you suspect you or a loved one is displaying symptoms of Panic Disorder, please schedule an appointment with Delos Psychiatry. Our mental health experts can help you learn the coping mechanisms and tools needed to live a fulfilling, happy life.

If you have any additional questions about Delos Psychiatry or how our team of Panic Disorder specialists in Boulder, CO can support you, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or request an appointment through our online form. The team at Delos Psychiatry looks forward to hearing from you soon! For more information, call us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 2501 Walnut St. Suite 204 Boulder, CO 80302. We serve patients from Boulder CO, Denver CO, Silverthorne CO, Longmont CO, Superior CO, Lafayette CO, Broomfield CO, Erie CO, and Niwot CO.