Overcome panic disorder from the comfort of home.
Feel better in 12 weeks with a personalized treatment plan including medication, therapy, or both.
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A panic attack is a strong physical reaction accompanied by feelings of fear that suddenly come on and can last for several minutes. When you have a panic attack, you may sweat profusely, feel short of breath, and experience chest pains that may feel like you’re having a heart attack. These are all reasons why panic attacks can be very frightening and uncomfortable.
People who experience repeated panic attacks often become anxious and preoccupied with having another attack and may make changes to their lifestyle to avoid having panic attacks. If you have experienced four or more panic attacks or live in fear of having another attack, you may have a panic disorder.
Chief Medical Officer
Stanford-trained Psychiatrist with 25 years of practice
Someone may be diagnosed with panic disorder if they experience sudden and repeated panic attacks, a feeling of being out of control, of death, or impending doom during a panic attack. They may also be diagnosed with panic disorder if they experience intense worry about when or where the next panic attack will happen and fear or avoid places where panic attacks have occurred in the past for 30 days or more.
Antidepressants are shown to be effective in treating the symptoms of panic disorder. At Brightside, we use data and research to find the right medication for you.
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We use evidence-based therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is proven to be effective in treating panic disorder.
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A comprehensive approach to care leads to better outcomes. By practicing daily healthy habits and self-care, you can reduce your symptoms of panic disorder.
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Whether you choose medication, therapy, or both, our memberships include expert online care designed to help you feel better, faster.
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Start by answering a clinically-proven set of questions, which will help us understand your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan with Medication, Therapy, or both.
Within 48 hours, you’ll have a video consultation where you can share how you’re feeling and decide on next steps together.
Unlimited messaging, video sessions, and regular check-ins help you stay in touch with your provider so they can monitor your symptoms and adjust until treatment is right for you.
“A literal life saver. So convenient, so effective, and more involved/high touch than my former psychiatrist was. I should have done this a year sooner.”
“Brightside has made such a huge improvement on my quality of life. The ease of access, the convenience of the med delivery, and the intelligent check in scoring system all contribute to a next level quality of care.”
“My provider has answered every question I’ve had, listened to worries and concerns and symptoms, assured me and is truly invested in my quality of care. I’ve gone from moderate-severe depression to mild depression in just 2 months.”
“I am so very grateful to have found Brightside. This is the most hopeful I have felt in maybe two years. Brightside isn't just working for me, it saved me. Brightside really turned may life around.”
“My life is so much better after starting with Brightside. My doctor truly cares about my well being and I’m just so grateful for this.”
“A literal life saver. So convenient, so effective, and more involved/high touch than my former psychiatrist was. I should have done this a year sooner.”
“Brightside has made such a huge improvement on my quality of life. The ease of access, the convenience of the med delivery, and the intelligent check in scoring system all contribute to a next level quality of care.”
“My provider has answered every question I’ve had, listened to worries and concerns and symptoms, assured me and is truly invested in my quality of care. I’ve gone from moderate-severe depression to mild depression in just 2 months.”
“I am so very grateful to have found Brightside. This is the most hopeful I have felt in maybe two years. Brightside isn't just working for me, it saved me. Brightside really turned may life around.”
“My life is so much better after starting with Brightside. My doctor truly cares about my well being and I’m just so grateful for this.”
Although research has not wholly determined why some people develop panic disorder, researchers believe that the illness may be caused or triggered by one or a combination of genetic or hereditary factors, a more sensitive “fight-or-flight” response, a disturbance in neural pathways in the brain, a stressful life event, or childhood stress and trauma.
Visit a doctor if you’ve been experiencing symptoms of panic disorder. At first, it may be difficult to discuss your feelings, but remember that your doctor is there to help you. Speaking openly about your condition is the first step toward healthily managing your symptoms.
The first thing to do is to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Your doctor will do an exam and ask you about your health history to ensure that an unrelated physical problem is not causing your symptoms. Your doctor may then refer you to a mental health specialist, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
You may be diagnosed with panic disorder if you have regular and unexpected panic attacks followed by at least a month of continuous worry or concern about having further attacks.
If you have panic attacks but have not been diagnosed with a panic disorder, you can still benefit from treatment. If panic attacks aren’t treated, they can get worse and develop into panic disorder or phobias.
Once a diagnosis has been established, a panic disorder is generally treated with therapy, medication, or both. Talk with your provider about the best treatment option for you.
Therapy: A type of treatment called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is especially useful as a treatment for panic disorder. CBT teaches you different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to the feelings that come on with a panic attack. CBT can help you become aware of inaccurate or negative thought patterns to view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them more effectively. The attacks can begin to disappear once you learn to respond differently to the physical sensations of anxiety and fear during panic attacks.
Medication: Doctors also may prescribe different types of medications to help treat panic disorder, depending on your needs. These medications can include:
SSRIs and SNRIs are both antidepressants commonly used to treat depression, but they are also helpful for panic disorder symptoms. The results of these medications are not immediate—they may take several weeks to start working. These medications may also cause side-effects, such as headaches, nausea, or difficulty sleeping. These side effects are usually not severe for most people, especially if the dose starts low and increases slowly. Most of the time, the benefits of the medication outweigh the potential side effects but talk to your doctor about any that you may be experiencing. Check out our Myths and Misconceptions about Antidepressants post for more information about antidepressants.
You should work closely with your doctor to find the best medication and dose for you. Both therapy and medication can take some time to work, so don’t give up on treatment too quickly. Following a healthy lifestyle can also help combat panic disorder. Make sure to get enough sleep and exercise, eat a healthy and balanced diet, and turn to loved ones who you trust for support.
Receive ongoing online care from hand-selected providers who are experts in treating anxiety & depression.
Data-driven prescribing that analyzes over 100 unique data points and decades of clinical research to pinpoint your match.
Build the skills needed to overcome anxiety and depression with an evidence-based approach to therapy that is proven to work.
Track your progress at every step, so you and your provider can make informed decisions and adjust your care until it’s right for you.
If you’re in emotional distress, text HOME to connect with a counselor immediately.
Call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for 24/7 emotional support.
If you’re having a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your local ER.
