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| Meta Title | Panic Attacks (Panic Disorder) Signs & Symptoms | Rush |
| Meta Description | Experts at Rush offer panic disorder treatments — including medications and psychotherapy — that can reduce and even eliminate panic attacks. |
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Services & Treatments
Panic Attacks (Panic Disorder)
Experts at Rush offer panic disorder treatments — including medications and psychotherapy — that can reduce and even eliminate panic attacks.
A panic attack is a sudden feeling of overwhelming anxiety or fear that lasts for several minutes. It's often accompanied by a pounding heart, sweating or the feeling that you can't think or breathe. It typically has no obvious cause.
Signs You Should Get Help for Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are the main symptom of panic disorder. You may have panic disorder if one or more of the following statements are true:
You have repeated panic attacks
Your panic attacks interfere with your work, relationships or other parts of your life
You worry about when you'll have another panic attack
You fear or avoid places where you've had panic attacks in the past
How to Get Help for Panic Attacks
If you've never had a diagnosis of panic disorder:
Make an appointment with your primary care provider, or find a new primary care provider at Rush. They can talk with you about your symptoms and recommend next steps. They may refer you to a psychologist (who can provide psychotherapy) or a psychiatrist (who can prescribe medications).
If you have a diagnosis of panic disorder, or a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist:
If you're not sure whether to start with a psychologist or a psychiatrist, we can advise you. (Psychologists generally focus on providing psychotherapy. Psychiatrists generally focus on prescribing medications and medical procedures.)
Panic Attack Treatment at Rush
Panic attacks usually get better with medication, psychotherapy or both.
Medications
Primary care providers and psychiatrists (medical doctors who specialize in mental health) can prescribe medications that help with panic attacks. These typically include antidepressants, which have been shown to improve symptoms of panic disorder.
Your doctor will work closely with you to determine which medications and dosages work best for you.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Psychologists at Rush are experts in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a kind of psychotherapy proven to reduce panic attacks.
During CBT, your therapist (that is, your psychologist) will teach you how to anticipate and respond to panic attacks. By learning new ways to react when you feel one coming on, you can often prevent panic attacks from happening.
Panic Attacks (Panic Disorder) Providers at Rush
Learn more about panic attacks (panic disorder) providers at Rush.
Meet our panic attacks (panic disorder) providers
Meet our panic attacks (panic disorder) providers
Rush Excellence in Panic Attack Care
Coordinated, comprehensive care:
Providers at Rush work together to make sure you have access to the right expertise at the right time. If your primary care provider or psychiatrist thinks you'll benefit from psychotherapy, they'll refer to you to a trusted psychologist. If your psychologist thinks you'll benefit from medications, they'll refer you to a trusted psychiatrist. No matter where you start, you'll have access to a whole team of experts in every aspect of mental health.
Highly experienced therapists:
Psychologists at Rush have treated thousands of patients using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the most effective type of therapy for most people with panic attacks. This experience — and the resulting expertise about what does and doesn't work — will inform your care.
Support when you need it:
Sometimes, after going away, panic attacks can come back during a stressful period of your life. To help with this, psychologists at Rush offer "booster sessions" of cognitive-behavioral therapy. If you need to, you can come back any time for one or a few sessions to get back on track.
Rush Connect+: Easy, Affordable Health Care, 24/7
Introducing Rush Connect+, our health care membership designed for everyday health concerns. Get peace of mind with 24/7 nationwide virtual urgent care and an on-call human assistant who is your convenient, single point of contact for any Rush care needs. It’s one-on-one help and support — now available for everybody. Try your first month for just $1, then only $19/month or $189/year after that.
Learn More and Join |
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- Panic Attacks (Panic Disorder)
# Panic Attacks (Panic Disorder)
Experts at Rush offer panic disorder treatments — including medications and psychotherapy — that can reduce and even eliminate panic attacks.
A panic attack is a sudden feeling of overwhelming anxiety or fear that lasts for several minutes. It's often accompanied by a pounding heart, sweating or the feeling that you can't think or breathe. It typically has no obvious cause.
## Signs You Should Get Help for Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are the main symptom of panic disorder. You may have panic disorder if one or more of the following statements are true:
- You have repeated panic attacks
- Your panic attacks interfere with your work, relationships or other parts of your life
- You worry about when you'll have another panic attack
- You fear or avoid places where you've had panic attacks in the past
## How to Get Help for Panic Attacks
- **If you've never had a diagnosis of panic disorder:** Make an appointment with your primary care provider, or find a new primary care provider at Rush. They can talk with you about your symptoms and recommend next steps. They may refer you to a psychologist (who can provide psychotherapy) or a psychiatrist (who can prescribe medications).
- **If you have a diagnosis of panic disorder, or a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist:** If you're not sure whether to start with a psychologist or a psychiatrist, we can advise you. (Psychologists generally focus on providing psychotherapy. Psychiatrists generally focus on prescribing medications and medical procedures.)
## Panic Attack Treatment at Rush
Panic attacks usually get better with medication, psychotherapy or both.
### Medications
Primary care providers and psychiatrists (medical doctors who specialize in mental health) can prescribe medications that help with panic attacks. These typically include antidepressants, which have been shown to improve symptoms of panic disorder.
Your doctor will work closely with you to determine which medications and dosages work best for you.
### Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Psychologists at Rush are experts in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a kind of psychotherapy proven to reduce panic attacks.
During CBT, your therapist (that is, your psychologist) will teach you how to anticipate and respond to panic attacks. By learning new ways to react when you feel one coming on, you can often prevent panic attacks from happening.
## Panic Attacks (Panic Disorder) Providers at Rush
Learn more about panic attacks (panic disorder) providers at Rush.
[Meet our panic attacks (panic disorder) providers](https://doctors.rush.edu/?interestArea=63827%2C63825%2C63826)
[](https://doctors.rush.edu/?interestArea=63827%2C63825%2C63826) [Meet our panic attacks (panic disorder) providers](https://doctors.rush.edu/?interestArea=63827%2C63825%2C63826)
## Rush Excellence in Panic Attack Care
- **Coordinated, comprehensive care:** Providers at Rush work together to make sure you have access to the right expertise at the right time. If your primary care provider or psychiatrist thinks you'll benefit from psychotherapy, they'll refer to you to a trusted psychologist. If your psychologist thinks you'll benefit from medications, they'll refer you to a trusted psychiatrist. No matter where you start, you'll have access to a whole team of experts in every aspect of mental health.
- **Highly experienced therapists:** Psychologists at Rush have treated thousands of patients using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the most effective type of therapy for most people with panic attacks. This experience — and the resulting expertise about what does and doesn't work — will inform your care.
- **Support when you need it:** Sometimes, after going away, panic attacks can come back during a stressful period of your life. To help with this, psychologists at Rush offer "booster sessions" of cognitive-behavioral therapy. If you need to, you can come back any time for one or a few sessions to get back on track.
[Find a Doctor](https://doctors.rush.edu/?interestArea=63825) [Find a Location](https://www.rush.edu/locations?text=Panic%20disorder&sort=asc) [Make an Appointment](https://www.rush.edu/schedule-your-medical-appointment-rush)
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Introducing Rush Connect+, our health care membership designed for everyday health concerns. Get peace of mind with 24/7 nationwide virtual urgent care and an on-call human assistant who is your convenient, single point of contact for any Rush care needs. It’s one-on-one help and support — now available for everybody. Try your first month for just \$1, then only \$19/month or \$189/year after that.
[Learn More and Join](https://www.rush.edu/services/connectplus)

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- Panic Attacks (Panic Disorder)
Experts at Rush offer panic disorder treatments — including medications and psychotherapy — that can reduce and even eliminate panic attacks.
A panic attack is a sudden feeling of overwhelming anxiety or fear that lasts for several minutes. It's often accompanied by a pounding heart, sweating or the feeling that you can't think or breathe. It typically has no obvious cause.
## Signs You Should Get Help for Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are the main symptom of panic disorder. You may have panic disorder if one or more of the following statements are true:
- You have repeated panic attacks
- Your panic attacks interfere with your work, relationships or other parts of your life
- You worry about when you'll have another panic attack
- You fear or avoid places where you've had panic attacks in the past
## How to Get Help for Panic Attacks
- **If you've never had a diagnosis of panic disorder:** Make an appointment with your primary care provider, or find a new primary care provider at Rush. They can talk with you about your symptoms and recommend next steps. They may refer you to a psychologist (who can provide psychotherapy) or a psychiatrist (who can prescribe medications).
- **If you have a diagnosis of panic disorder, or a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist:** If you're not sure whether to start with a psychologist or a psychiatrist, we can advise you. (Psychologists generally focus on providing psychotherapy. Psychiatrists generally focus on prescribing medications and medical procedures.)
## Panic Attack Treatment at Rush
Panic attacks usually get better with medication, psychotherapy or both.
### Medications
Primary care providers and psychiatrists (medical doctors who specialize in mental health) can prescribe medications that help with panic attacks. These typically include antidepressants, which have been shown to improve symptoms of panic disorder.
Your doctor will work closely with you to determine which medications and dosages work best for you.
### Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Psychologists at Rush are experts in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a kind of psychotherapy proven to reduce panic attacks.
During CBT, your therapist (that is, your psychologist) will teach you how to anticipate and respond to panic attacks. By learning new ways to react when you feel one coming on, you can often prevent panic attacks from happening.
## Panic Attacks (Panic Disorder) Providers at Rush
Learn more about panic attacks (panic disorder) providers at Rush.
[Meet our panic attacks (panic disorder) providers](https://doctors.rush.edu/?interestArea=63827%2C63825%2C63826)
[](https://doctors.rush.edu/?interestArea=63827%2C63825%2C63826) [Meet our panic attacks (panic disorder) providers](https://doctors.rush.edu/?interestArea=63827%2C63825%2C63826)
## Rush Excellence in Panic Attack Care
- **Coordinated, comprehensive care:** Providers at Rush work together to make sure you have access to the right expertise at the right time. If your primary care provider or psychiatrist thinks you'll benefit from psychotherapy, they'll refer to you to a trusted psychologist. If your psychologist thinks you'll benefit from medications, they'll refer you to a trusted psychiatrist. No matter where you start, you'll have access to a whole team of experts in every aspect of mental health.
- **Highly experienced therapists:** Psychologists at Rush have treated thousands of patients using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the most effective type of therapy for most people with panic attacks. This experience — and the resulting expertise about what does and doesn't work — will inform your care.
- **Support when you need it:** Sometimes, after going away, panic attacks can come back during a stressful period of your life. To help with this, psychologists at Rush offer "booster sessions" of cognitive-behavioral therapy. If you need to, you can come back any time for one or a few sessions to get back on track.
## Rush Connect+: Easy, Affordable Health Care, 24/7
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