Panic attacks are often misunderstood. They can come on suddenly, triggering a racing heart, a tight chest, dizziness, or a sense of doom. Many people end up in the emergency room, convinced they’re having a heart attack, only to be told it’s “just anxiety.” However, for many patients, that explanation doesn’t fully answer what they’re experiencing.
At Elysium, we believe panic attacks deserve more than a quick label. These episodes can be symptoms of something deeper, sometimes biological, sometimes trauma-based, often both. While panic attacks are commonly associated with anxiety, they aren’t always rooted in generalized anxiety disorder alone.
Panic Is Often the Tip of the Iceberg
For some people, panic attacks strike without any warning or clear trigger. There may be no obvious anxiety beforehand. In fact, many patients say the fear only kicks in after the attack has already started. This disconnect suggests that panic may stem from nervous system dysregulation, past trauma, or underlying health issues, not just anxious thoughts.
When we offer psychiatric treatment for panic attacks, we look beyond mood alone. We consider how stress, sleep quality, medical history, and trauma may all be contributing to those symptoms. In some cases, the nervous system has become so sensitized that it reacts to minor stress like a full-blown threat.
The Biology Behind the Panic
It’s well established that the body’s stress response system plays a central role in panic. Chronic stress can disrupt cortisol levels. Past trauma can keep the brain’s fear center on high alert. Even things like blood sugar swings, stimulant use, or thyroid imbalances can make panic attacks worse.
This is why many people don’t improve with basic anxiety disorder treatment in Tampa alone. Traditional approaches, like cognitive behavioral therapy or SSRIs, can help, but only when they’re targeting the right issue. If the root cause is biological or trauma-related, those treatments might not be enough.
Effective care means getting a full picture. That’s why we start with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. We take the time to understand the whole story, your symptoms, your history, and your biology before making any treatment recommendations.
A Deeper, Smarter Approach to Care
We don’t treat panic attacks as one-size-fits-all. Some people may benefit from a mood stabilizer or medication that calms the brain’s overactive fear response. Others may need trauma therapy, hormone support, or changes in sleep routines. In every case, our goal is the same: lasting relief and restored peace of mind.
You deserve care that treats the real cause, not just the symptoms.
Personalized Help for Panic, When You’re Ready
At Elysium, we take panic attacks seriously. Dr. Marco Rabines, a board-certified psychiatrist, provides thoughtful psychiatric treatment for panic attacks, rooted in science and compassion. If your current anxiety disorder treatment isn’t working, or if no one has looked beyond the basics, we’re here to help.
Schedule an appointment today. Let’s find the clarity and relief you’ve been missing.
