Panic Attack Treatment in West Ashley, Charleston
Expert evaluation and treatment for panic disorder from board-certified psychiatric providers.
What Are Panic Attacks?
Panic attacks are sudden, intense episodes of fear that trigger severe physical reactions when there is no real danger. Symptoms include racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, tingling in hands or feet, sweating, nausea, and an overwhelming sense of impending doom. Many patients experiencing their first panic attack go to the emergency room believing they are having a heart attack.
Panic disorder is diagnosed when panic attacks are recurrent and unexpected, and you develop persistent worry about having more attacks or change your behavior to avoid triggering them. Some patients develop agoraphobia — avoiding places or situations where panic attacks have occurred or where escape might be difficult.
Our Treatment Approach
Treatment begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and rule out medical causes. Your provider will assess the frequency and severity of your attacks, identify triggers, and screen for co-occurring conditions. Medication options include SSRIs and SNRIs (taken daily to prevent panic attacks), and in selected patients, short-term use of benzodiazepines for acute episodes. We also coordinate with our counselors who provide CBT with exposure techniques — the most effective psychotherapy for panic disorder.
Patients across the greater Charleston area, including James Island, Johns Island, and North Charleston, trust our West Ashley team for expert panic disorder treatment. Telehealth is also available statewide across South Carolina.
Common Symptoms
Treatment Options
Frequently Asked Questions
While panic attacks feel terrifying, they are not physically dangerous. The symptoms — racing heart, chest pain, shortness of breath — are caused by your body's fight-or-flight response, not a cardiac event. However, frequent panic attacks significantly impair quality of life and should be treated.
Most patients achieve significant improvement with appropriate treatment. Many become completely panic-free. Treatment typically involves medication, therapy, or both, and most patients see improvement within four to eight weeks.
Medication effects are usually felt within two to four weeks, with full benefit by six to eight weeks. CBT for panic disorder typically involves 8 to 12 sessions. Many patients continue maintenance medication long-term to prevent recurrence.
It is possible, and our providers are trained to guide you through it in real time. In fact, experiencing symptoms during a session can be therapeutically valuable — it allows your provider to observe your symptoms directly and coach you through coping techniques.