How to Find Outpatient Treatment for Panic Disorder

Alter Wellness Care Can Help in Laguna Beach

Panic disorders are a common mental health concern among Americans. Panic disorder symptoms can significantly impact personal daily life — school, work, family relationships, and social settings. While you’re aware of the impacts of your panic disorder, it can feel challenging to take the first steps toward getting help. At Alter Wellness, we’re here to help you take the necessary steps to address and treat your panic disorder within our supportive mental health treatment facility in Laguna Beach. 

By accessing mental health treatment at Alter Wellness, you’re taking a big step towards changing your life, and our team is dedicated to ensuring that you feel safe and supported throughout your treatment process. All of our mental health treatment programs are designed to be trauma-informed, meaning that our approaches are mindful of your specific needs and ensure your physical and emotional safety and comfort throughout your time with us. Our licensed team of mental health practitioners is trained to understand and identify when patients have a history of trauma and adjust treatment program approaches to ensure avoid traumatization and foster a healthy, positive healing experience. 

At our Laguna Beach mental health treatment facility, patients are invited to participate in outpatient treatment programs. Each patient is provided with an individualized treatment program that is centered around their unique needs and goals for mental health treatment. As our team gains an understanding of your specific circumstances with panic disorder and mental health, we’ll create a treatment plan that incorporates evidence-based therapy methods, holistic therapy practices, and medical care when needed. We care about our patients and want to provide a meaningful, effective treatment program that helps you overcome and manage the symptoms of panic disorder and have healthy coping strategies for the future. 

What Is Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder is a mental health condition that occurs when people experience the onset of panic attacks frequently. Those living with panic disorder will experience panic attacks seemingly out of the blue and at spontaneous occurrences. There is often little warning for when these panic attacks will occur. When you are not experiencing panic attacks, there is an overwhelming sense of anxiety or fear with the anticipation of another panic attack. 

Panic disorder often begins in childhood or early adulthood. There is no specific reason or cause for the onset of panic disorder. Research has indicated some predetermining factors that can influence the onset of panic disorder — a family history of panic disorder, stressful or traumatic life experiences, and other medical or psychiatric concerns. Regardless of the specific causes of your panic disorder, there are effective methods of treatment that can help you learn how to manage your symptoms of panic disorder and gain stability in your mental health functioning. 

20 Symptoms of Panic Disorder

The symptoms of panic disorder can range from physical and psychological symptoms including:

1. Sudden and frequent panic attacks along with overwhelming feelings of fear or anxiety
2. Intensely worrying about when the next panic attack will occur
3. Avoid certain places or situations where you have had panic attacks or been triggered previously
4. Feeling out of control
5. An immense fear of death or sensing impending doom
6. Nausea or stomach pain
7. Chills
8. Excessive sweating
9. Trembling
10. Irregular or racing heartbeat
11. Difficulty breathing
12. Confusion
13. Dizziness
14. Feeling weak
15. Numbness or tingling in your hands
16. Chest pain
17. Feeling disconnected from your own body
18. Symptoms that mimic a heart attack
19. Avoiding certain places or people that can be triggering
20. Feeling as though or fearing that you’re dying

Is Outpatient Treatment for Panic Disorder Available in California?

Yes, at Alter Wellness Laguna Beach our focus is providing patients with comprehensive outpatient treatment programs for panic disorders and other mental health concerns. Outpatient treatment is offered in varying levels of care within our mental health treatment facility that can meet your required needs for support and flexibility in treatment schedules. We believe everyone has the right to receive mental health treatment and strive to provide effective treatment measures that are mindful of your specific needs and responsibilities. 

Outpatient treatment is available in a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). A PHP is a treatment method that is in between an inpatient rehab program and an outpatient treatment program. Patients in a PHP are invited to attend our recovery during the day at certain times for a period of 30- 45 days. Once you’ve completed your mental health treatment program for the day, you can return to your home and resume your daily activities. 

Our intensive outpatient programs are offered in 2 levels. Each IOP has a flexible treatment schedule that invites you to attend our treatment facility for designated times each day while having the ability to maintain your work, school, family, or social commitments and responsibilities. Patients can choose between these IOPs: 

• IOP5: This is the first level of IOP that can last between 40 to 60 days. Patients can attend multiple therapy sessions and programs throughout the day. You can choose how you spend your days when you’re not in treatment programs. 
• IOP3: This is the second level of IOP that lasts between 30 to 40 days. Patients can choose from one or two morning or afternoon therapy sessions to attend. After completing your daily sessions, you can maintain your typical daily schedule and responsibilities. 

How Is Panic Disorder Treated?

Panic disorder is typically treated through a combination of evidence-based therapy programs and medications. Patients in our mental health treatment programs can be offered participation in the following forms of treatment: 

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a common therapy for patients living with panic disorder. CBT works with patients to learn new behaviors, ways of thinking, and reactions just before a panic attack. By becoming aware of their physical and psychological health, patients can use preventive measures to reduce the symptoms of panic disorder and minimize the frequency you experience panic attacks.
• Exposure therapy: This therapy method supports patients in facing their triggers or fears with the guided support of our mental health clinicians. Patients can confront their fears and beliefs and learn how to manage their emotions and responses through healthy coping strategies. 
• Medications: To help treat the symptoms of panic disorder, patients may be offered medications that work to minimize their symptoms and help stabilize their psychological health. Medications offered can include beta-blockers, anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines, and antidepressants. Depending on the medications that you take and the symptoms you’re experiencing, medications can treat the physical and psychological side effects of panic disorder. 

Call Alter Wellness Care to Get Started with Treatment for Panic Disorder

There is hope for learning how to manage your symptoms of panic disorder and at Alter Wellness, we’re ready to create a personalized treatment program that is effective and meaningful in your treatment and recovery process. You deserve to have quality, high levels of care through effective, evidence-based therapy methods that support you in gaining knowledge and awareness of how to manage your mental health now and in the future. Call our empathetic team of mental health professionals at 866-520-2943, and take the first step toward your recovery journey now.