Exploring Panic Disorder Treatment Options in Burbank

Panic disorder can feel overwhelming—marked by sudden, intense episodes of fear, racing heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Left untreated, it can disrupt your daily life and relationships. If you’ve searched for panic disorder treatment near you, know that help is available right here in Burbank.

At The Forge Recovery Center, we understand the weight of living with mental health challenges and offer compassionate, personalized care to support your journey toward healing. Whether you're seeking help for yourself or a loved one, you're not alone. In this article, we will explore effective treatment options available to you in Burbank.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Panic Disorder

Panic disorder often begins subtly, but the symptoms can quickly become distressing and disruptive. Understanding the signs is the first step toward getting the right help.

Physical Symptoms

Panic attacks trigger intense physical reactions that can mimic a heart attack. Common symptoms include a racing heartbeat, chest tightness, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, dizziness, and even nausea. These sensations come on suddenly, often without warning, and can peak within minutes—leaving you feeling physically drained.

Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms

Beyond the physical, panic disorder can trigger overwhelming emotional responses. You may feel a sense of impending doom, fear of going crazy, or fear that you’re about to die. These intrusive thoughts are difficult to rationalize in the moment, even if you know, logically, that you’re not in danger.

Impact on Daily Life

Over time, the fear of having another attack can become debilitating. You might start avoiding certain places, situations, or people out of worry it could trigger another episode. This avoidance can impact your work performance, strain personal relationships, and limit your overall quality of life. Left untreated, it may even evolve into agoraphobia—the fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult.

Recognizing these patterns early can be life-changing. With the right support, panic disorder is treatable—and you don’t have to face it alone.

Evidence-Based Treatment Options

Treating panic disorder isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about building long-term tools for managing anxiety and reclaiming control. The most effective approaches are rooted in evidence-based care that addresses both the mental and physical components of panic attacks.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most effective treatments for panic disorder. It helps you identify the negative thought patterns that fuel panic attacks—like catastrophic thinking (“I’m going to die”)—and teaches you how to challenge and replace them with more balanced thoughts. Over time, this rewiring of mental habits reduces the intensity and frequency of panic episodes. CBT also incorporates behavioral strategies, like controlled breathing and grounding techniques, to help manage symptoms in real time.

Exposure Therapy

For many, the fear of having a panic attack becomes more disabling than the attacks themselves. Exposure therapy gently confronts that fear. Under the guidance of a therapist, you're gradually exposed to sensations or scenarios that trigger anxiety—such as increased heart rate or crowded spaces. The goal is to reduce your sensitivity over time, helping your brain learn that these sensations aren’t dangerous and that you can handle them without panic.

Medication Management

In some cases, medication can play a key role in stabilizing symptoms. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline or fluoxetine are commonly prescribed as first-line treatments for panic disorder. These medications help regulate mood and reduce overall anxiety levels. In more acute situations, short-term use of benzodiazepines may be considered, though these carry a higher risk of dependency and are generally used with caution. At The Forge Recovery Center, medication is always prescribed as part of a broader, personalized treatment plan—not a standalone solution.

Lifestyle Modifications

Your daily habits can significantly impact panic disorder. Regular physical activity boosts mood-regulating neurotransmitters. Sleep deprivation, on the other hand, can make symptoms worse. Incorporating stress-reduction practices—like mindfulness meditation, yoga, or journaling—can also lower your baseline anxiety and make panic attacks less likely. These changes might seem simple, but when combined with therapy and medical care, they create a powerful foundation for recovery.

When tailored to your unique needs, these evidence-based treatments can help you regain confidence, reduce fear, and take back control from panic disorder.

The Forge Recovery Center’s Approach

At The Forge Recovery Center, we understand that panic disorder doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It often co-occurs with other challenges like depression, substance use, or trauma. That’s why our approach is never one-size-fits-all—we treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Your experience with panic disorder is unique, so your treatment should be too. At The Forge, we conduct a comprehensive assessment to understand your mental health history, triggers, and any co-occurring disorders you may be facing. From there, we build a customized treatment plan that aligns with your goals—whether that means managing anxiety without medication, healing from trauma, or addressing both panic and substance use in tandem.

Integrated Care

We don’t believe in fragmented care. Our team integrates multiple modalities—evidence-based therapies like CBT, psychiatric medication management when appropriate, and holistic practices such as mindfulness training, nutrition support, and physical wellness. This multidisciplinary model ensures that you receive consistent, coordinated support across every aspect of your recovery.

Supportive Environment

Healing takes more than treatment—it takes trust, safety, and compassion. Our center offers a calm, judgment-free space where you can open up about your experiences without fear. From our clinical staff to our peer support team, every person at The Forge is committed to walking with you through each step of your journey.

Whether you're battling panic attacks alone or alongside other struggles, The Forge Recovery Center is here to help you build a healthier, more balanced life—one rooted in lasting recovery and real change.

Navigating Treatment in Burbank

Finding the right support for panic disorder in Burbank is more accessible than you might think. From specialized treatment centers to community-based resources, there are numerous options to help you or your loved one embark on the path to recovery.

Accessing Local Resources

Burbank offers a variety of mental health facilities catering to diverse needs:

• Multi Concept Recovery provides individualized treatment plans for mental health and substance use disorders, working directly with insurance companies to verify coverage.

• Aspire Counseling Services offers behavioral health services, including Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) for adults and adolescents, with a focus on dual diagnosis treatment.

• ROWI Teen specializes in mental health treatment for children and teens, offering Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) that include individual and family therapy.

• American Recovery Center (ARC) provides a holistic approach to addiction recovery, specializing in dual diagnosis treatment for substance use and alcoholism.

These centers offer a range of services, from outpatient therapy to intensive inpatient programs, ensuring that residents can find care tailored to their specific needs.

Insurance and Payment Options

Navigating insurance coverage for mental health services can be complex, but many Burbank facilities accept a broad spectrum of plans:

• Multi Concept Recovery works with most PPO policies, including Anthem, Blue Shield, Health Net, Assurant, and Cigna. They are in-network with Aetna, Multi-Plan, Beacon Health Options, and Anthem Blue Cross.

• Aspire Counseling Services accepts most insurance plans and offers accreditations and certifications to ensure quality care. ​

• L.A. Care Health Plan provides behavioral health services through Carelon Behavioral Health for Medi-Cal and Medicare Plus members, covering treatments for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

It's advisable to contact these centers directly to verify insurance coverage and discuss alternative payment methods if necessary.

Community Support

Beyond clinical treatment, community support plays a vital role in managing panic disorder:

• NAMI Glendale offers free, peer-led support groups for individuals with mental health conditions and their families, providing a platform to share experiences and coping strategies. ​

• Psychology Today lists various support groups in Burbank, including those focused on anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns, facilitating connections with others facing similar challenges. ​

• Family Service Agency of Burbank provides counseling services for individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, and other stressors, aiming to create a secure and confidential environment for healing. ​

Engaging with these community resources can offer additional support and foster a sense of belonging during the recovery journey.

At The Forge Recovery Center, we are committed to guiding you through the available treatment options in Burbank, ensuring you receive the comprehensive care and support necessary to overcome panic disorder.

Panic Disorder Disrupting Your Life? Let’s Take It Back—Together

Living with panic disorder can feel isolating, but you don’t have to manage it alone. Effective treatment is available—and recovery is absolutely possible. At The Forge Recovery Center, we offer personalized, compassionate care to help you break free from fear and regain control. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or someone you love, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. If you’re searching for panic disorder treatment near you in Burbank, reach out today. The help you need—and deserve—is just one call away.

Written by

The Forge Recovery Center

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

May 15, 2025