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Panic can feel like an overwhelming sense of fear where the body and mind become highly alert. For some people, panic is occasional and linked to stressful events. For others, repeated panic attacks or persistent fear of panic can make daily life feel difficult to manage.
Recovery Scotland is an information and referral support service. We do not diagnose panic disorder, provide clinical treatment or operate a clinic. We can help you understand support pathways and, where appropriate, discuss providers who may be able to assess your needs.
If panic symptoms, anxiety, alcohol or drug use are affecting your safety or wellbeing, speak with a GP, NHS 24 on 111, a qualified mental health professional or an appropriate treatment provider. In an emergency, call 999.
Get In Touch
Recovery Scotland can offer confidential guidance about anxiety, panic disorder and addiction support options. We do not provide treatment directly, but we can help you understand next steps and possible referral routes.
Contact us or call 01475 303998.
Panic can show itself in psychological and physical ways, including intense fear, racing thoughts, chest tightness, breathlessness, dizziness or a sense of losing control. These symptoms can be frightening, especially when they happen repeatedly.
Support should be based on assessment by a qualified professional. If alcohol or drug use is also present, it may be important to consider providers who understand co-occurring anxiety and addiction needs.
Insight Into Panic Disorder
Feeling panicked in response to danger, pressure or uncertainty can be a normal reaction. Panic disorder may be considered when panic attacks happen repeatedly, feel unpredictable, or lead to ongoing fear of another attack.
A panic attack can feel intense and physical, but the right support can help people understand triggers, reduce avoidance and develop safer coping strategies. A GP or mental health professional can advise on assessment and treatment options.
Panic Disorder Symptoms
Symptoms can vary from person to person, but panic attacks may include:
- Racing heartbeat or chest tightness
- Shortness of breath or feeling unable to breathe
- Dizziness, shaking, sweating or nausea
- Feeling detached, unreal or out of control
- Fear of fainting, dying or having a medical emergency
- Avoiding places or situations because of fear of panic
- Using alcohol or drugs to try to manage anxiety
If chest pain, breathing difficulty or immediate danger is present, call 999. If symptoms are not an emergency but are affecting daily life, contact a GP or NHS 24 on 111.
Causes Of Panic Disorders
There is rarely one single cause of panic disorder. It may be linked to a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.
- Stress, trauma or major life changes
- Family or personal history of anxiety
- Physical health concerns or fear of bodily sensations
- Substance use, withdrawal or high caffeine intake
- Ongoing pressure, burnout or poor sleep
A qualified professional can help explore possible causes and recommend suitable support.
Panic Disorder Treatment and Support
Treatment options may include GP support, talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, medication review where clinically appropriate, anxiety-management strategies, lifestyle changes, peer support and specialist addiction support where alcohol or drug use is also a concern.
Recovery Scotland does not provide panic disorder treatment directly. Where appropriate, we can help people explore providers who assess mental health and addiction needs together, including co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis support.
Before choosing a provider, ask what assessment is completed, who delivers clinical care, what therapies are offered, whether substance use can be supported, and what aftercare or follow-up is available.
Recovery Scotland can help you understand available support pathways for panic disorder and substance use concerns.
John Gillen
- Author
- Last updated: June 17, 2026
John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.