Panic Attack & Panic Disorder Treatment in Boston, MA
Panic attacks and panic disorders are medical conditions that respond well to proper care. At Arcara Psychiatry, you work with experienced psychiatric nurse practitioners who specialize in panic and anxiety treatment for adults and older adults in Boston and Westborough. We focus on careful evaluation, clear guidance, and steady support.
What Is a Panic Attack?
A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear that triggers strong physical symptoms. Many people feel convinced they are having a heart attack, losing control, or dying, even when no immediate danger exists.
Panic attacks differ from general anxiety. Anxiety often builds gradually in response to stress, while panic attacks peak quickly and can occur without an obvious trigger.
Panic attacks can happen without warning, which makes them unpredictable and frightening. While you may not be able to eliminate panic attacks forever, treatment can reduce how often they occur and how intense they feel.
Symptoms of Panic Attacks
Rapid or racing heartbeat
Feeling weak, faint, or dizzy
Tingling or numbness in hands, feet, or face
Sudden fear, doom, or fear of dying
Sweating or chills
Chest tightness or chest pain
Shortness of breath or air hunger
Detachment from your body or surroundings
Feeling out of control
Signs of Panic Disorder
Panic disorder involves more than a single panic attack. A clinician may diagnose panic disorder if you:
- Have repeated panic attacks
- Worry often about when the next attack will happen
- Avoid places or situations for fear of triggering an attack
If this pattern feels familiar, our psychiatric nurse practitioners in Boston can assess for panic disorder and review treatment options.
What Causes or Triggers Panic Attacks?
- Family history of panic or anxiety
- Anxiety disorders, phobias, or PTSD
- High stress, burnout, or major life changes
- Excess caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or other substances
- Medical conditions such as thyroid issues or heart rhythm changes
- Past trauma, including accidents, medical procedures, or abuse
What to Do in a Panic Attack
These steps do not replace medical care, but they may help during an attack.
Self-Help Steps:
Slow breathing.
Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 4, then exhale for 6. Repeat for several minutes.
Grounding.
Name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste.
Label the experience.
Remind yourself that this is a panic attack and the symptoms will pass.
Release tension.
Relax your jaw and shoulders, stretch your hands, and place both feet firmly on the floor.
If symptoms feel new, severe, or different from past attacks, seek medical care instead of assuming it is panic.
What to Do If Someone Has a Panic Attack
If someone near you is having a panic attack, here’s how you can help:
Stay calm and speak slowly
Ask what usually helps them
Encourage slow breathing and grounding
Call emergency services if they have chest pain, trouble breathing, or collapse.
Who Will I See at Arcara Psychiatry?
You will meet with psychiatric nurse practitioners who bring over 30 years of combined experience in Boston-area mental health care. We focus on evidence-based treatment for panic, anxiety, and mood disorders in adults and older adults.
Kimberley Arcara, PMHNP-BC, founded Arcara Psychiatry after 12 years as a registered nurse. Her background includes geriatric assisted living and outpatient psychiatric care in Worcester, with experience supporting patients with anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and mood disorders. When needed, we refer patients to Boston psychiatrists to ensure appropriate care.
Treatment for Panic Disorder and Attacks
At Arcara Psychiatry, treatment begins with a thorough psychiatric evaluation. Care plans may include medication management and coordination with therapy providers when appropriate.
Therapy for Panic Attacks
Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure-based approaches can help you:
Understand what maintains panic symptoms
Learn skills to tolerate and reduce attacks
Gradually re-enter avoided situations
Medication to Treat Panic Attacks
Medication may be recommended to reduce panic frequency or intensity. Options can include:
Daily medications that lower the risk of repeated attacks
Short-term medications for specific situations, when appropriate
Your clinician will review benefits, risks, and side effects. Do not start or stop medication without medical guidance.
Supportive Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle adjustments can support treatment, including:
Reducing caffeine and alcohol
Improving sleep and daily routines
Adding gentle exercise and stress-management practices
These changes support recovery, even though they cannot guarantee attacks will never recur.
Can You Prevent or Eliminate Panic Attacks Forever?
Panic attacks can become less frequent and less intense with the right treatment plan. Many people feel more confident managing symptoms and return to normal routines with fewer limits. If panic starts to guide daily choices, professional support can help you regain control.
When Should You Go to the Hospital for a Panic Attack?
Because panic can mimic serious illness, emergency care is appropriate if:
- Chest pain is new or severe
- Pain spreads to the arm, jaw, back, or neck
- You experience fainting, confusion, or trouble speaking
- Symptoms feel very different from past attacks
When in doubt, it is safer to be evaluated.
Panic Attack Treatment in Boston, MA
If panic attacks affect work, relationships, or daily routines, support is available. Arcara Psychiatry provides evaluation and treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder, with medication management and collaborative care.
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FAQs
How long does a panic attack last?
Most panic attacks peak within about 10 minutes and resolve within 20 to 30 minutes, though lingering fatigue can occur.
How common are panic attacks in the US?
About 1 in 10 adults experiences a panic attack each year. Panic disorder affects roughly 3 percent of adults annually.
Can a panic attack feel like a heart attack?
Yes. Because symptoms overlap, medical evaluation is important, especially with new or severe pain.
What can help calm a panic attack quickly?
Slow breathing, grounding exercises, and reminding yourself that symptoms are temporary can reduce intensity.
What medicine helps with panic attacks?
Medication options vary. A clinician selects treatment based on health history and symptom pattern.
What is the difference between a panic attack and panic disorder?
Panic disorder involves repeated panic attacks, plus ongoing worry or behavior changes to avoid future attacks.
Do caffeine and alcohol make panic attacks worse?
Many people notice fewer attacks after reducing caffeine and alcohol.
What treatments work best?
CBT, exposure-based therapy, and medications such as SSRIs or SNRIs often work best together.
Will I always have panic attacks?
With treatment and practice, many people feel more in control and have fewer attacks.
How do I stop a panic attack before it starts?
You cannot always stop an attack, but early breathing and grounding can blunt its intensity. Seeking treatment for frequent attacks is key.