Panic Disorder
3 medicines
Panic disorder causes repeated, unexpected panic attacks along with weeks of dreading the next one. Antidepressants, especially SSRIs, are the mainstay of long-term treatment, usually paired with talking therapy.
Key facts
- Panic disorder means having recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, sudden surges of fear that peak within minutes, followed by weeks of anticipatory anxiety about the next one.
- Attacks bring physical symptoms: a racing or pounding heart, breathlessness, chest tightness, dizziness, sweating, and a feeling of unreality. Most subside within 10 to 20 minutes.
- Effective treatment combines cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with an antidepressant, usually an SSRI such as escitalopram, sertraline, or paroxetine.
- Seek help promptly for severe or worsening attacks, or for any thoughts of self-harm.
What a panic attack feels like
The sudden onset is what makes panic attacks so alarming. Common physical sensations include a racing or pounding heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, sweating, and a sense of detachment from reality. Many people describe an overwhelming conviction that something is seriously wrong: a heart attack, suffocation, or loss of control. Most attacks subside within 10 to 20 minutes, though the aftermath can leave a person exhausted and on edge for hours. The attacks are not dangerous in themselves, but the anticipatory anxiety and avoidance behaviour they trigger can severely restrict daily life.
How panic disorder is managed
Effective treatment almost always combines talking therapy with medicine. CBT is the most evidence-backed psychological approach: it teaches people to reframe catastrophic interpretations of physical sensations and gradually re-engage with situations they have been avoiding.
On the medicine side, antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are the standard first-line choice. Agents such as escitalopram, sertraline, and paroxetine reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks when taken consistently over several weeks, and they are also used long-term to prevent relapse. Benefits build gradually, so most people need several weeks of steady use before symptoms ease.
When to get help
Talk to a doctor if panic attacks are becoming frequent, if they are shaping your daily choices (avoiding places, cancelling plans, fear of leaving home), or if a physical cause needs ruling out first. Contact a mental health professional or a crisis line promptly if attacks are severe or if you are having thoughts of self-harm.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.