How to Stop a Panic Attack

Tips and Warnings

• Accept your condition and praise yourself for getting it under control rather than beating yourself up for having an attack. McDermott says minimizing the experience or berating yourself, only exacerbates the condition. Enter therapy with a trusted psychiatrist or counselor with whom you feel comfortable. Find someone who practices cognitive behavioral therapy, as doctors at the Mayo Clinic report it is the most effective treatment for panic attacks. During therapy, you will learn how to change the way you react to situations and recognize triggers that typically set you off. Prepare to recreate a fearful situation in the safety of the therapist's office in order to practice your new skills. Take medications that treat the symptoms of your disorder while you work on your emotional and mental issues. Typical drugs used to treat panic attacks include antidepressants and mild sedatives.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and illicit drugs, because they can trigger a panic attack and may interfere with your medications. The National Institutes of Health reports that people who have panic attacks might turn to illegal drugs to manage their symptoms. You must be weaned off the substances before you can receive a proper mental health diagnosis. Seek immediate treatment at an emergency room or with your primary physician if you are experiencing symptoms that cannot be brought under control with relaxation techniques to rule out other physical illness, such as a heart attack.