A panic attack is a frightening, overwhelming experience. Rapid heart rate and shortness of breath occur suddenly and are accompanied by increased perspiration and a feeling of faintness. These symptoms build in intensity for approximately 10 minutes, during which great fear overtakes the body. The triggers of these attacks may or may not be identifiable. Treatments for both types are available, but unexplainable attacks can be resistant to treatment.
Breathing
Due to their gradual onset, there is time to intervene and regulate breathing before a full-blown panic attack happens. Breathing deeply and consistently can diminish the intensity of a panic attack or prevent one from occurring. Air should be inhaled through the nose and held for several seconds before being exhaled through the mouth. Controlling one's breathing becomes more challenging as the other symptoms intensify; therefore, focus solely on the breathing. Repetitive deep breaths at consistent intervals will slow down both breathing and heart rates.
Medications
According to a study by Drs. A. J. Baillie and R. M. Rapee published in the March 2005 issue of "Social Psychology Epidemiology," panic attacks are suggestive of an underlying anxiety, depressive or substance use disorder. In cases where an underlying disorder is present, daily use of maintenance medications such as Zoloft or Prozac may be needed. Unfortunately, such antidepressant/anti-anxiety medications require several weeks to become effective. The effects of anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax and Ativan, on the other hand, occur within minutes and therefore, can be used as needed. These medications can be used to treat as well as prevent panic attacks.
Cognitive Therapy
Identifying the trigger of panic attacks is vital to treatment. Triggers are any stimuli that provoke a panic attack to occur. Triggers can be internal, such as thoughts or memories, or external, such as specific settings or situations. Cognitive therapy can alleviate anxiety by discussing the thoughts and behaviors that trigger the attacks. Therapists can help change the way an object or setting is perceived by patients, thus reducing or eliminating their underlying fear.
Exposure Therapy
Overcoming a specific fear is a process. Thoughts and behaviors do not change quickly and avoiding something that provokes anxiety will not make it go away. Controlled exposure to the feared situation with the help of a therapist is a successful method used to desensitize a person from a phobia. For instance, the first step for a patient with agoraphobia, the fear of crowded places, might be to just sit outside. When a patient becomes comfortable with this, walking across the street or around the block might be the next goal. Sitting in a confined space or standing in a crowd would eventually follow and continue until the patient becomes comfortable in these settings.
