Few experiences are as alarming as a panic attack. Your heart pounds, your chest tightens, your hands go numb — and a wave of terror convinces you that something is terribly wrong. For the millions of Americans who live with panic disorder, that feeling can arrive without warning, at any time, and take over completely.
The good news: panic attacks are one of the most treatable conditions in psychiatry. With the right evaluation and individualized treatment plan, most patients experience dramatic improvement — often within weeks. At Empathy Health Clinic in the Orlando and Winter Park area, our psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners specialize in panic attack treatment and can typically see new patients the same week, often same-day.
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear or discomfort that peaks within minutes and includes four or more of the following physical and psychological symptoms:
Racing or pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Shortness of breath or feeling smothered
Chest pain or pressure
Nausea or abdominal distress
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness
Chills or hot flashes
Numbness or tingling (especially in hands or face)
Feelings of unreality or detachment (derealization/depersonalization)
Fear of losing control or "going crazy"
Fear of dying
Panic attacks typically reach their peak intensity within 10 minutes and resolve within 20-30 minutes, though the aftermath — exhaustion, lingering anxiety, and fear of the next attack — can last far longer.
Anxiety Attack vs. Panic Attack: What Is the Difference?
Patients often ask about the difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack. While both terms are used colloquially, there are clinically meaningful distinctions:
Panic attacks are discrete, intense episodes with a sudden onset. They often occur without an obvious trigger (called "unexpected" panic attacks) and are defined by the specific symptom criteria listed above.
Anxiety is typically more gradual, sustained, and tied to identifiable worries or stressors. It may build over hours or days rather than striking suddenly.
An important clinical distinction: "anxiety attack" is not an official DSM-5 diagnosis, whereas panic attack and panic disorder are. That said, many people use the terms interchangeably to describe the same frightening experience. If you are unsure which applies to you, a psychiatric evaluation is the right starting point — our clinicians will help clarify your diagnosis and build a plan from there.
What Is Panic Disorder?
When panic attacks recur and lead to persistent worry about future attacks — or when you start changing your behavior to avoid situations where attacks have occurred — the diagnosis shifts from isolated panic attacks to panic disorder.
Panic disorder affects roughly 2-3% of adults in the U.S. at some point in their lives and is twice as common in women as in men. It frequently co-occurs with:
Agoraphobia (avoiding places where escape might be difficult)
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Depression
PTSD
OCD
Without treatment, panic disorder can progressively narrow your world. People begin avoiding driving, crowded places, exercise, coffee, and any situation associated with past attacks. A panic disorder psychiatrist in Orlando can break this cycle before it takes over your daily life.
Why You Should See a Psychiatrist for Panic Attacks
Many people experiencing panic attacks head to the emergency room first — understandably, since the symptoms mimic a heart attack. Once medical causes are ruled out, the next step is a psychiatric evaluation. Here is why seeing a psychiatrist matters:
Accurate diagnosis: A psychiatrist can distinguish panic disorder from other anxiety disorders, thyroid conditions, cardiac arrhythmias, and medication side effects that can produce similar symptoms.
Medication expertise: Psychiatrists can prescribe and carefully titrate the medications most effective for panic — SSRIs, SNRIs, and other evidence-based options — and monitor your response over time.
Therapy coordination: A good psychiatric evaluation includes a recommendation for the type of therapy most likely to help, whether that is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, or another approach.
Integrated care: At Empathy Health Clinic, patients can receive both psychiatric medication management and therapy under one roof, ensuring your providers are coordinating your care.
Panic Attack Treatment Options in Orlando
The most effective treatment for panic disorder combines medication and psychotherapy. Our clinicians individualize every treatment plan based on severity, co-occurring conditions, and patient preference.
Medications for Panic Disorder
The first-line medications for panic disorder are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). These antidepressants are FDA-approved for panic disorder and work by regulating neurotransmitter systems involved in the fear response. Common options include sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and venlafaxine (Effexor).
SSRIs and SNRIs take a few weeks to reach full effect, but they have a strong long-term safety profile and are effective for both panic disorder and any co-occurring depression or generalized anxiety.
Buspirone is another non-controlled option that works well for broader anxiety and can complement SSRI therapy. Hydroxyzine is a non-habit-forming antihistamine sometimes used for situational anxiety relief while waiting for an SSRI to take effect.
It is important to note that Empathy Health Clinic does not prescribe benzodiazepines (such as Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, or Valium). While benzodiazepines can provide rapid relief, they carry significant risks of dependence and withdrawal — particularly problematic in patients with panic disorder, who often require long-term management. Our clinicians focus on sustainable, evidence-based options that address the root cause rather than masking symptoms temporarily.
Psychotherapy for Panic Disorder
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the gold-standard psychological treatment for panic disorder. CBT helps you identify and challenge catastrophic thinking patterns ("I am going to die") and gradually reduce avoidance behaviors. Exposure-based techniques — gently and systematically confronting feared situations — are a core component.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be particularly helpful when panic disorder is rooted in trauma. Empathy Health Clinic offers EMDR therapy as part of our integrated care model.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills — including distress tolerance and mindfulness — are also useful for managing acute panic and reducing emotional reactivity over time.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
When you come in for panic attack help at Empathy Health Clinic, your first visit is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Our clinician will:
Review your symptom history — how long attacks have been occurring, their frequency, what triggers them (if anything), and how they affect your daily life
Assess for co-occurring conditions such as depression, PTSD, or generalized anxiety
Review your medical history, current medications, and any prior psychiatric treatment
Discuss your treatment goals and preferences
Develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include medication, therapy referral, or both
Most initial evaluations take 45-60 minutes. Follow-up medication management appointments are typically 20-30 minutes. We offer both in-person appointments at our Winter Park office and telehealth visits for patients anywhere in Florida.
Insurance and Access
We believe mental health care should be accessible. Empathy Health Clinic accepts the following insurance plans:
Medicare
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
Aetna
Cigna
United Healthcare
Humana
Self-pay (out-of-pocket)
We do not accept Medicaid. If you are unsure about your coverage, our front desk can help verify your benefits before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Panic Attack Treatment
How do I know if I need treatment for panic attacks?
If you have had one or more panic attacks and find yourself worrying about having another, changing your behavior to avoid triggers, or limiting your activities because of fear of panic, you likely meet criteria for panic disorder and would benefit from professional evaluation. Even a single, severe panic attack that caused significant distress is worth discussing with a clinician.
What is the fastest way to get panic attack help in Orlando?
Empathy Health Clinic offers same-day and same-week appointments for new patients. You can call our office or request an appointment online. Telehealth is also available if you prefer to be seen from home. While you are waiting for your appointment, grounding techniques such as slow diaphragmatic breathing (4 counts in, hold 4, exhale 6) and the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory grounding method can reduce panic attack severity in the moment.
Can panic disorder be cured, or is it lifelong?
Many patients with panic disorder achieve full remission with a combination of therapy and medication. Research shows that 70-90% of patients respond well to CBT, medication, or both. Some people manage well with a time-limited course of treatment and never have a significant recurrence. Others benefit from longer-term medication maintenance. Your response will depend on your individual history, the presence of co-occurring conditions, and how consistently treatment is followed.
Do I need a referral to see a panic disorder psychiatrist in Orlando?
No. Empathy Health Clinic accepts self-referrals — you do not need a referral from your primary care doctor to schedule an appointment. Simply contact our office directly. If your insurance requires a referral, we can help you navigate that process.
Is telehealth effective for panic disorder treatment?
Yes. Multiple studies have confirmed that telehealth delivery of psychiatric care — including medication management and CBT — is equally effective to in-person care for most patients with panic disorder and anxiety. If you live anywhere in Florida and prefer virtual appointments, our clinicians are available to see you online with full prescribing authority.
Take the Next Step
Panic attacks are not a character flaw, a sign of weakness, or something you simply have to endure. They are a treatable medical condition with well-established, evidence-based interventions that have helped millions of people reclaim their lives.
If you are ready to stop letting panic attacks control your schedule, your relationships, and your sense of self, Empathy Health Clinic is here to help. Our board-certified psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners serve the Orlando and Winter Park area, with same-week availability and telehealth options across Florida.
Request an appointment today — or call our office to speak with a member of our care team. You do not have to manage panic disorder alone.