People with panic attacks often can be successfully treated with anti-anxiety medication or antidepressants. You can also try using the drug free method at: PanicAway.Com

Paper bag rebreathing

Many panic attack sufferers as well as doctors recommend breathing into a paper bag as an effective short-term treatment of an acute panic attack. However, this treatment has been criticised by others as ineffective and possibly hazardous to the patient, even potentially worsening the panic attack. They say it can fatally lower oxygen levels in the blood stream, and increase carbon dioxide levels, which in turn has been found to be a major cause of panic attacks.

It is therefore important to discover whether hyperventilation is truly involved in each case. If it is, then rebalancing the oxygen/CO2 levels in the blood and/or re-establishing an even, measured breathing pattern is an appropriate treatment which may be also achieved by extending the outbreath either by counting or even humming.

Medication

The benzodiazepine class of drugs includes diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, and clonazepam. These drugs are fast acting in stopping panic but long-term use often leads to tolerance and physical dependence. Benzodiazepines are best used for a few days to avoid the development of tolerance or dependence. Some doctors may prefer to prescribe an antidepressant, particularly an SSRI (such as paroxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, escitalopram or fluoxetine), which after an initial titration period may be effective at reducing anxiety and panic attacks. SNRIs such as Venlafaxine can also be prescribed, but may be addictive and may increase suicide ideation, but have less abuse potential than benzodiazepines

All persons experiencing persistent and frequent panic attacks should consult their physicians. However, many experienced sufferers treat panic attacks with some the following methods and techniques:

• Diaphragmatic breathing or abdominal breathing — Breathing slowly through the nose using the diaphragm and abdomen. Do not breathe through the mouth. Focus on exhaling very slowly. This will correct or prevent an imbalance of oxygen to carbon dioxide in the blood stream.

• Taking anti-anxiety medication — to be used under the guidance and direction of a physician.

• Staying in the present — rather than having "what if" thoughts that are future oriented asking yourself, "what is happening now" and "how do I wish to respond to it". (Carbonell, 2004)

• Acceptance and acknowledgement- accepting and acknowledging the panic attack. (Carbonell, 2004).

• Floating with the symptoms — allowing time to pass and floating with the symptoms rather than trying to make them better or fighting them. (Carbonell, 2004)

• Coping statements — repeated as part of an internal monologue
• • "No one has ever died from an anxiety attack."
  • "I will let my body do its thing. This will pass."
  • "I can be anxious and still deal with this situation."
  • "This does not feel great, but I can deal with it".
  • "I am frightened of being frightened, therefore if I stop worrying about being frightened, then I have nothing to be scared of."

• Talking to a supportive person — someone who has experienced true panic attacks personally; someone who is highly trained in treating panic attacks; loved ones who can offer support and comfort.

• Lying down — to prevent fainting during an attack.