Understanding and Managing Panic Attacks: Treatment Options & Relief

Long-term treatment as well as quick relief methods can be used to combat panic attacks. Using long-term treatments can stop the recurrence of panic attack while quick relief methods stop the panic attack at its onset.

Medications

• Daily use antidepressant medications such as Paxil reduce the frequency and onset of panic attacks by restoring the balance of serotonin in the brain. Mild tranquilizers (Benzodiazepines) such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium work within an hour to slow down brain activity and decrease over activity in the nervous system.

Talk Therapy

• Talking to a therapist can be very helpful when you have panic attacks. Therapists use techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help you overcome panic attacks and the situations that trigger them.

Meditation

• Deep breathing meditation quickly combats the symptoms of panic attacks. Practicing deep breathing exercises such as the 7-11 breathing method and Focus breathing can quickly regulate symptoms of hyperventilation and rapid heart rate.

Dietary Changes

• Foods that are high in sugar and caffeine can cause anxiety, which in turn can trigger panic attacks. Limiting candy, soft drinks, coffee and caffeinated tea can help you reduce the frequency of anxiety.

Significance

• One out of every 75 people globally have experienced panic attacks at some point in their lives and women are twice as likely to experience than men.