1. The Reaction Is Real
Panic attacks are basically a mind trick. For unknown reasons, panic attacks cause extreme fear in a person, which lead to a real physical response from all the body's systems to get out of danger. Mentally, physiologically, emotionally and physically the person is actually responding as if they are in peril. It is not something they can just snap out of, or that they can control.
2. Get Help
People with panic disorder need help. Psychiatrists are doctors who deal with mental illness, which is the category that panic disorder falls under. Psychiatrists often enlist the help of therapists who try to uncover any underlying issues that are causing the panic attacks, while teaching the patient coping skills to avoid or deal with panic attacks.
3. Fear of the Fear
Most of the issues with panic disorder don't come from the panic attacks themselves--although they are terrible--but from the fear of having another one. This is where panic disorder is different from other types of anxiety disorders. Panic disorder involves recurring attacks, at any time. Since panic attacks come unprovoked and suddenly, catching you off-guard, it creates a fear of the possibility of having one again. This fear often leads to avoidance of activities and strict ritual and routine followings to try to keep the panic attacks away. Unfortunately, these types of tactics fail to treat the illness, and simply isolate the person more.
4. Learning Coping Mechanisms
For people experiencing panic attacks for the first time, it is incredibly frightening. Many call emergency services fearing they are having a heart attack or simply going crazy. After the panic disorder is diagnosed and properly treated with medication and therapy, a doctor and patient can work together to wean off medication and deal with attacks using coping mechanisms. However, because panic disorder means anxiety attacks occur randomly, patients often keep a backup dose of anti-anxiety medications just in case they need them.
5. Rule Out Underlying Conditions
Panic attack symptoms mirror several physical problems. Heart problems cause chest pounding and pain, asthma and breathing disorders cause light-headedness and fainting, and brain swelling or tumors cause headaches. Because so many symptoms in panic attacks mimic life-threatening issues, doctors need to rule out any other underlying conditions and treat them if they exist.
