Help for Panic Attacks

Because of the possible consequences of untreated panic attacks, it's important to get help early—though the perceived stigma of having an emotional or mental disorder may keep sufferers from calling a doctor. "It's like any other chronic disease," says Gonsalves. "The sooner you pick it up, the better the prognosis." And fortunately, there is lot of help available. There's no single cure that works for everyone, but generally, patients use medication (most often, antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs), cognitive behavioral therapy or some combination of the two. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you a range of techniques—such as relaxation exercises—to deal with everyday anxiety and stress, lessening the chances of another attack. Many people find that drugs help control the problem until they can find a behavioral therapy that works, after which drugs may no longer be necessary. It's often advisable to avoid caffeine or alcohol, which can bring on symptoms in some people. Research has also shown that regular exercise and activities such as yoga may reduce the severity and number of attacks.

Call your doctor even if you've had only a single attack, because these symptoms could also signal a wide range of other problems, including thyroid and heart disease. A primary-care physician will first perform a physical exam and probably order an EKG and blood tests to rule out other possible causes of the attacks. If all those tests show nothing wrong, then your doctor will probably refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who can work with you on the problem over what may be a period of several months.

It takes a while to feel completely better; generally, antidepressants start working in six to eight weeks, Gonsalves says. But many patients begin to get some relief in just two weeks, she adds. In all, about 80 percent of patients will do well. In the case of the other 20 percent, who don't respond to treatment, doctors often find that they have missed an underlying medical condition that is behind the attacks.

For more information on panic attacks, check out these resources: The National Institute of Mental Health, the American Psychological Association and the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.

© 2008