Anxiety & Panic Disorder Treatment in New York

Anxiety can look different for everyone

For some people, anxiety means persistent worry, restlessness, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. For others, it involves racing heart sensations, sudden surges of fear, or avoiding situations after a panic attack. Symptoms can overlap with medical conditions and medication effects, so assessment includes the broader picture.

A clear, collaborative evaluation

We discuss the pattern of symptoms, triggers, duration, level of impairment, sleep, caffeine or substance use, medical history, and prior approaches that helped or did not help. We also assess for co-occurring depression, trauma-related symptoms, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and other concerns when relevant.

Building a treatment plan

Evidence-based psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioral approaches, often plays a central role. Depending on the diagnosis and preferences, medication may be helpful. We talk through the expected time course, side effects, and practical ways to measure progress. The aim is greater freedom in everyday life, rather than avoiding every uncomfortable sensation.

Understanding worry, panic, and avoidance

Generalized anxiety often involves persistent worries across areas of life, whereas panic attacks are episodes of intense fear or discomfort that may include palpitations, dizziness, trembling, and shortness of breath. Some individuals begin avoiding places or sensations associated with previous attacks. The assessment considers physical causes when symptoms are new, medically concerning, or atypical. This distinction matters because different patterns of anxiety may call for different treatment approaches.

Medication and psychotherapy options

Cognitive behavioral therapy, including exposure-based approaches where appropriate, has an important role in anxiety and panic treatment. For some patients, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or related medications are options after discussing expected benefits, delayed onset, tolerability, and discontinuation effects. Long-term benzodiazepine use is generally not a preferred primary treatment for panic disorder. Clinical follow-up also monitors sleep, functioning, avoidance, and how confident you feel managing distressing sensations.

Frequently asked questions

Next steps

If these concerns sound familiar, a consultation can help clarify your options. Appointments are designed for collaborative, evidence-informed planning rather than a predetermined diagnosis or prescription.

Information on this page is educational and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for individualized evaluation. Content prepared for Steadfast Psychiatry; clinical content should be reviewed periodically by Daniel Georges, PMHNP-BC.