Panic attacks can occur anywhere, anytime. They render you feeling nervous, terrorized and helpless. Panic attacks can be triggered for no apparent reason. Or they might take place as a result of a long stressful phase that one has been through.  Your job, marriage or dismissal from the workplace may have you stressed out and anxious for a long time. The stress triggers a panic attack.

A panic attack is intense fear and anxiety. The attack might last for as long as 10 minutes. During an attack, a person might face physical symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, palpitations, sweating and chest pain.  What makes these panic attacks more dreaded is the feeling of helplessness and discomfort that comes with it.

If a person gets repeated panic attacks, he/she may be suffering from a panic disorder.  Panic disorder also involves the fear of further panic attacks.

Fortunately, both panic attacks and panic disorders have treatments. They can be treated in a number of ways including self-help, medication and therapies. Treatments reduce the number and frequency of panic attacks and the level of professional help given depends on the severity of the panic disorder.

Professional help

1.    Behavioral therapy

I)               It focuses on changing your behavior and thinking patterns. It helps you approach your fears more realistically. Panic attacks are relatively harmless on their own and nothing disastrous will happen.  Many times panic attacks may not even require medical help.

II)              Some therapies expose you to physical sensations of panic in a controlled environment.  You are told to carry out exercises such as hyperventilation, which create sensations similar to those of panic. Through this, you learn to cope with panic.

2.    Medication

To reduce some symptoms of panic disorder, you may be given anti-depressants. Medication should not solely be relied upon. Medication yields best results when combined with other treatments.

Self help treatment

1. One of the best ways to treat a panic disorder is to learn its causes and avoid situations that might trigger it in the future.  A person knows best about the situations that are likely to cause him a panic attack. Make a list of things that put you under stress and jot down ways on how to handle them.  Preparing yourself for these situations, results less in a chance of a panic attack, when you next face them.
2. Practice relaxation exercises.  Activities such as yoga and meditation help you relax. They promote feelings of relaxation in your body and decrease the chances of stress building up.
3. Go for a health lifestyle. Avoid smoking and caffeine. It might trigger panic attacks in some people. Go for a light jog. Excessive build up of adrenaline in your body, after some stressful situation might result in a panic attack.