Research has provided us with a variety of panic attack treatments, including a variety of medications, targeted forms of psychotherapy, as well as natural alternatives.
There are some SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) as well as the benzodiazepine families of medications which are approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat panic disorders.
Some of these include Zoloft and Paxil from the SSRI family, and Klonopin from the benzodiazepine family.
Although Xanax is often used for panic attack treatments, its short lived effect can sometimes require it to be taken several times a day.
Propranolol is an example of a beta-blocker which is also used to treat the physical symptoms associated with panic attacks.
Medications from the TCA group (tricyclic antidepressants) were used in the treatment of panic disorders prior to the availability of SSRIs.
Although TCAs are effective in panic attack treatments, SSRIs are proven to be safer and better tolerated.
Drug therapy can be effective in treating panic disorder when used in the patient with close monitoring.
But because anything that is taken internally carries risk of side effects, it is important to work closely with the doctor to decide whether medication is appropriate and if so, which medication should be used.
The patient should be closely monitored at all times for side effects that can vary from minor to severe and in some cases even be life-threatening.
Psychotherapy is also an important part of treating panic disorders.
Research shows that psychotherapy when used alone, or combined with medication, is more effective than medication alone in treating panic attacks.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is employed to help the panic disorder sufferer identify and decrease irrational thoughts and behaviors associated with panic attacks.
Behavioral techniques used to decrease anxiety include relaxation exercises and gradually increasing exposure to situations that may have previously induced anxiety in the patient.
There are other things panic attack sufferers can do to help make treatment more effective.
Eliminating the use of caffeine, alcohol and illicit drugs is most helpful.
Healthy lifestyles that include aerobic exercise, proper rest, and stress management techniques such as deep breathing and yoga are also important panic attack treatments.