A trusted chicago psychiatry for comprehensive virtual mental health services in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
Panic disorder is when someone gets sudden and strong feelings of fear or discomfort that happen without warning. These feelings are called panic attacks and they come with physical symptoms such as:
The fear of having another panic attack (anticipatory anxiety) is also common in panic disorder. This can lead to avoidance behaviors, where you start to avoid what causes your triggers.
The exact cause of panic disorder is unknown, but several factors are believed to contribute, including:
Imbalances in brain chemicals:
History of Panic Disorder:
Traumatic experiences:
Certain medical conditions:
If you think you or someone you know might have a lot of panic attacks, it’s important to reach out to us online. It’s easier to manage panic disorders when you find out about them early. We are compassionate psychiatrists who are experienced and dedicated to providing effective treatment for panic disorder.
Additionally, you can also learn things like deep breathing and meditation on your own as it can help you feel less anxious and worried. They can also make panic attacks happen less often and be less scary.
Some medications provide relief within days, while others (like SSRIs) can take 4–6 weeks to reach full effect. Your psychiatrist will guide you through this timeline.
Yes — we're in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, UMR, Aetna, and Cigna.
While we specialize in medication management, we can also make recommendations or referrals for therapy-based approaches if that's part of your overall care plan.
At Lakeside Psychiatry, our approach to panic disorder treatment in Chicago centers on medication management. We prescribe medications — most commonly SSRIs or SNRIs — that help regulate the brain chemistry associated with panic symptoms, reducing both the frequency and intensity of panic attacks over time. Every treatment plan starts with a full evaluation, and your psychiatrist will adjust your medication as needed to find what works best for you.
Looking for a psychiatrist in Chicago for a different concern? Visit our main page to see all the conditions we treat.
