Calm the Physical Alarm
Reduce episodes of racing heart, breathlessness, shaking, dizziness, and intense physical distress.
Panic Attack Treatment in Roseville, California
Find Relief From Panic Attacks
Individualized medication-based care designed to reduce recurring attacks, calm physical overactivation, and help you regain confidence in everyday life.
You should not have to organize your life around fear of the next attack.
See Dr. Van Horn This Week
How We Help
Feel Safer, Regain Confidence, and Live Beyond the Next Attack
Panic treatment should do more than help an attack pass. Meaningful improvement may include fewer attacks, less physical distress, reduced fear of another episode, clearer thinking, and greater freedom to participate in everyday life.
Dr. Van Horn evaluates the chemical and biological factors that may be contributing to panic attacks, reviews current and previous medications, and develops an individualized treatment plan focused on relief, function, and long-term brain health.
Reduce Recurring Attacks
Work toward decreasing how often attacks occur and how severely they disrupt daily life.
Regain Confidence
Reduce fear of another attack and the avoidance that can gradually limit work, travel, relationships, and ordinary activities.
Think More Clearly
Support concentration and decision-making when fear and physical symptoms have made it difficult to feel steady.
Does This Sound Familiar?
Panic Attacks Can Feel Sudden, Physical, and Overwhelming
A panic attack may begin without warning or occur in a particular setting. The physical sensations can feel so intense that people fear they are dying, losing control, or experiencing a serious medical emergency.
- Sudden intense fear
- Racing or pounding heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness or discomfort
- Shaking or trembling
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Sweating or chills
- Nausea or stomach distress
- Numbness or tingling
- Feeling detached or unreal
- Fear of losing control
- Fear of dying
- Fear of another attack
- Avoiding places or activities
- Repeated emergency visits
- Difficulty trusting physical sensations
New, severe, or unexplained chest pain, breathing difficulty, fainting, or other concerning physical symptoms may require immediate medical evaluation rather than assuming the cause is panic.
An Important Distinction
Panic Attacks and Anxiety Attacks Are Not Identical
Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear or physical distress that may peak rapidly and may occur with or without an obvious trigger.
Anxiety Attacks
Anxiety attacks often build in connection with ongoing worry, stress, conflict, uncertainty, or a specific situation and may vary more gradually in intensity.
Dr. Van Horn treats both, but understanding the pattern of symptoms is important when selecting an individualized treatment approach.
Treating the Causes, Not Just the Symptoms
Panic Attacks Do Not Have One Single Cause
Recurring panic attacks may involve several interacting biological and medical factors. Brain chemistry, genetics, sleep disruption, medication effects, stimulant or substance use, hormonal changes, medical conditions, and previous treatment response may all influence the brain and body’s alarm systems.
Dr. Van Horn evaluates the whole clinical picture rather than assuming every patient needs the same medication or treatment plan.
- Brain chemistry
- Genetics and family history
- Sleep disruption
- Medication effects
- Stimulant or substance use
- Hormonal changes
- Medical conditions
- Previous treatment response
William A. Van Horn, MD
Neuropsychiatric Treatment
Treatment Should Reduce Panic Without Dulling Your Life
Dr. Van Horn’s neuropsychiatric approach focuses on the chemical and biological processes that may cause the brain and body’s alarm systems to become excessively activated.
Treatment begins with understanding how attacks start, their physical and cognitive symptoms, how often they occur, possible medical contributors, current and previous medications, side effects, sleep, energy, and prior treatment response.
The goal is to select and adjust treatment thoughtfully so that improvement is reflected not only in fewer attacks, but also in greater confidence, clearer thinking, better daily function, and less fear of ordinary activities.
“I believe every treatment decision should begin with one question: How will this treatment impact your brain today, and five to ten years from now?”
Individualized Medication-Based Care
Treatment Based on Your Symptoms, History, and Brain Health
Medication Review
Review current and previous medications, side effects, interactions, and whether any medication or substance may be increasing physical activation or panic symptoms.
Individualized Medication Selection
Select treatment based on the attack pattern, medical history, prior response, age, risks, and effects on present and long-term brain function.
Related Symptom Management
Address sleep disruption, persistent physical activation, concentration problems, and anxiety between attacks when clinically appropriate.
Ongoing Adjustment and Follow-Up
Monitor attack frequency, severity, side effects, daily functioning, and whether treatment continues to support the patient’s goals.
Who We Help
Panic Attack Treatment May Be Appropriate If…
- You experience sudden episodes of intense fear
- Physical symptoms feel overwhelming
- You fear having another attack
- You avoid places or activities because of panic
- Attacks interfere with work, school, travel, or relationships
- You have repeatedly sought emergency reassurance
- Previous medication has not helped enough
- Previous medication caused unwanted side effects
- You want a second opinion
- You are an adolescent, adult, or older adult
You do not need to know the exact diagnosis before calling. The free consultation can help determine whether an appointment with Dr. Van Horn may be an appropriate next step.
Experience at the Intersection of Brain and Behavior
Why Patients Choose Dr. William Van Horn
Board-Certified Neuropsychiatrist
More Than 30 Years of Psychiatric Experience
In-Person Care in Roseville
Treatment Guided by Present and Long-Term Brain Health
Dr. Van Horn considers both immediate symptom relief and how medication decisions may affect concentration, memory, energy, emotional stability, daily function, and long-term brain health.
Start With a Free Conversation
You Do Not Need to Face the Next Attack Alone
- 1
Tell us what you have been experiencing
Speak with Juliet Pellegrini, MSW, our clinical director, at no cost.
- 2
Determine whether outpatient neuropsychiatric care may be appropriate
We will listen to your concerns and help determine whether an appointment with Dr. Van Horn appears to fit your needs.
- 3
Schedule the appropriate next step
If the service appears appropriate, we will explain the evaluation and scheduling process.
When Immediate Medical or Higher-Level Care May Be Needed
Way Treatment Center provides in-person outpatient care and is not designed to stabilize immediate psychiatric, medical, or substance-related emergencies.
Seek urgent or emergency care for:
- New or severe chest pain
- Severe breathing difficulty
- Fainting
- Sudden neurological symptoms
- Immediate danger to self or others
- Severe intoxication or withdrawal
- Symptoms requiring emergency or inpatient care
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you or someone else may be in immediate danger or experiencing a possible medical emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Panic Attack Treatment
Are panic attacks dangerous?
Panic attacks can feel life-threatening, but similar symptoms may also occur with medical conditions. New, severe, or unexplained physical symptoms should not automatically be assumed to be panic and may require medical evaluation.
Are panic attacks and anxiety attacks the same?
No. Panic attacks are typically sudden episodes of intense fear or physical distress. Anxiety attacks often build around ongoing worry, stress, or a particular situation. Dr. Van Horn treats both.
Do I need a diagnosis before scheduling?
No. Many patients call because they are experiencing attacks but do not yet know the exact diagnosis.
Is this service focused on medication treatment?
Yes. This page focuses on Dr. Van Horn’s neuropsychiatric and medication-based approach to the chemical and biological processes involved in panic attacks.
What if previous medication did not help?
Dr. Van Horn reviews previous medications, benefits, side effects, and other clinical factors before making individualized recommendations.
Does Dr. Van Horn treat adolescents and adults?
Yes. Dr. Van Horn treats adolescents, adults, and older adults.
Take the First Step
Take the First Step Toward Life Beyond Panic
Start with a free conversation about what you are experiencing and whether an appointment with Dr. Van Horn may be the right next step.
See Dr. Van Horn This Week
Related Conditions and Concerns
Information on this page is for general educational purposes and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for individualized medical care. Treatment recommendations depend on a clinical evaluation. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for immediate danger or a possible medical emergency.