Anxiety & Panic Disorder Treatment
Chronic worry, sudden adrenaline spikes, and social apprehension can exhaust your mind and body. At Premier Psychiatry, our psychiatric providers offer comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and personalized treatment plans, including medication management, in Orland Park, Willowbrook, and via telehealth.
Anxiety is a physiological alarm system that has become hyperactive.
Anxiety is not simply "worrying too much" or a lack of resilience. In anxiety disorders, the body's threat-response ("fight-or-flight") system can be activated too easily or too often, producing physical symptoms such as a racing heart even when there is no real danger.
At Premier Psychiatry, led by board-certified psychiatrist Pradeep Thapar, MD, FAPA, we understand the exhausting toll this takes on your nervous system. A comprehensive evaluation reviews your medical history, past treatment experiences, and triggers.
Common Physical & Mental Symptoms:
- Autonomic Surges: Racing heartbeat, chest tightness, trembling, and hyperventilation.
- Cognitive Hyperarousal: Intrusive catastrophic forecasting and inability to quiet the mind.
- Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restless sleep due to racing thoughts.
- Avoidance Patterns: Shrinking comfort zones, dodging social situations, or fearing public places.
- Somatic Exhaustion: Persistent gastrointestinal distress, tension headaches, and restless insomnia.
Anxiety Conditions We Specialize In
Accurate psychiatric treatment depends on pinpointing your specific anxiety diagnosis.
Persistent, Uncontrollable Everyday Worry
GAD is characterized by excessive worry that is hard to control, about things like health, finances, family, or work, on most days for at least six months. It can show up as muscle tension, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and restless sleep, leaving you perpetually waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Sudden, Overwhelming Panic Spikes
Panic attacks can strike unexpectedly with intense fear and physical symptoms that may feel like a heart attack. Over time, fear of the next attack can lead some people to avoid driving, grocery stores, or crowded spaces where escape might feel difficult (agoraphobia).
Fear of Judgment & Social Scrutiny
Far beyond ordinary shyness, social anxiety triggers intense physical dread before meetings, speaking engagements, or casual social gatherings. Patients fear being visibly nervous, judged, or humiliated, which can affect work, relationships, and daily life.
The Exhausting Dual Burden
Anxiety and depression commonly occur together. When high-alert panic is paired with depressive exhaustion, treatment may call for careful medication selection to improve mood without increasing agitation.
Ruling Out Physical Mimics & Neurodevelopmental Overlap
Some medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble anxiety. Thyroid problems (such as hyperthyroidism), heart rhythm problems, and low blood sugar can trigger palpitations and panic-like symptoms.
In adults, ADHD symptoms such as inner restlessness, procrastination, and feeling overwhelmed can overlap with anxiety. Our comprehensive evaluation aims to distinguish these possibilities before treatment is recommended.
Our Evaluation May Include:
- Review of medical history & possible physical causes
- Adult ADHD differential screening
- Review of triggers & panic attack frequency
- Pharmacogenomic (GeneSight®) testing, if recommended
Thoughtful Psychiatric Treatment
We generally start with low doses and adjust carefully based on how you respond.
Careful Medication Adjustments
Some anxiety medications take several weeks to reach their full effect, while others can ease physical symptoms such as a racing heart or shaking more quickly. Your provider will discuss the benefits, side effects, and fit of each option with you.
Pharmacogenomic Testing (GeneSight®)
A cheek-swab test looks at genes, such as CYP450 liver enzyme genes, that affect how your body processes certain medications. Results can help inform your provider's medication choices, but genetics is only one factor, and results do not guarantee how you will respond or rule out side effects.
Treatment Options & Telehealth
Anxiety disorders are commonly treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both. Premier Psychiatry provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a well-studied talk therapy for anxiety delivered by trained therapists, may also help, and your provider can discuss whether it fits your care. If office visits feel daunting, ask whether a telehealth appointment is appropriate. Telehealth video visits are available for patients located in Illinois or Indiana during the visit, and availability varies by provider.
Begin Your Evaluation
Our clinical team provides thorough psychiatric assessments and personalized medication management across our Orland Park and Willowbrook offices, as well as via telehealth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Care
Clear answers regarding medication safety, personality concerns, and recovery.
Will anxiety medication alter my personality or make me feel like a "zombie"?
Anxiety medications are not intended to change who you are. Some people notice side effects such as drowsiness or feeling emotionally flat; if that happens, tell your provider, because the dose or medication can often be adjusted. We generally start with low doses and adjust gradually.
Do you prescribe benzodiazepines (such as Xanax or Klonopin)?
Benzodiazepines can reduce anxiety quickly, but some people build up tolerance or become dependent on them, and the FDA requires a boxed warning about risks of abuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal reactions. Whether any medication is appropriate depends on your individual evaluation; your provider will discuss the benefits and risks of each option with you.
How quickly will I start feeling relief?
Some medications can ease physical symptoms, like a racing pulse or shaking, fairly quickly. Daily anxiety medications usually take several weeks to start working. We monitor how your medication is working and make adjustments as needed.
Insurance Coverage
Coverage varies by plan. Please call our office to confirm whether your plan is accepted before your first visit.
*Coverage details can change; please confirm with our office and your plan.
Urgent Medical & Crisis Support
Premier Psychiatry is an outpatient psychiatric practice. If you are experiencing an acute medical emergency, severe panic with chest pain requiring emergency evaluation, or suicidal thoughts, please call 911, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or present to your local emergency room.