Panic attacks can be alarming. They can happen by chance or after someone is exposed to various events that may prompt a panic attack. They max out in force quickly and leave with or without medical help. For others a panic attack treatment is essential to getting by.nnWhat are panic attacks? nnResponding to stress, panic is a physical response. Called the 'fight or flight' reaction, panic is a common response to peril and is your body's sign to get out of harm's way. With no foundation of danger when panic sets in it can be connected to two causes - pressure or perhaps, a panic disorder. A good panic attack treatment will work wonders for you. nnA panic attack is a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort, in which four (or more) of the following symptoms developed abruptly and reached a peak within 10 minutes: nnVery fast heartbeat, shortness of breath or inability to breath, dizziness or nausea, sweating, shaking or trembling, a sense of fear or dread, tingling sensation in the fingers or toes, chest pain, hot flashes or chills, thinking you are going to die or go crazy, trembling or shaking, feeling of choking, de realization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself). nnWhy panic attacks? nnPanic disorder may or may not be directly related to over stress. Some researchers are linking the panic attacks caused by panic disorder to a physical cause. If this is the case you need to seek professional for a panic attack treatment to help in dealing with the symptoms. nnYou must quantify your panic attack treatment to get the overall picture. nnUnfortunately, some of the drugs used to treat anxiety have an addictive component, and this is one of the risks of conventional treatment. If judiciously used, these medications can be very helpful, but all too frequently doctors have over-prescribed them to the point of inducing dependency or true addiction. The most popular anti anxiety drugs - Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan - all have addiction potential. It's not uncommon for patients to start taking them, find that their anxiety symptoms are reduced, and try to taper off only to find that the anxiety comes back. And Prozac, an effective antidepressant, actually leads to a slightly stimulated or hyped-up condition, sometimes causing sleeplessness or anxiety. Then anti anxiety drugs are often prescribed to "take the edge off," setting up the patient for multiple-drug dependency. So in the long run, we really need to develop a non pharmacological approach. nnCan panic attack treatments work in the long run? nnThe good news is that panic disorder responds very well to treatment and those who receive treatment can lead healthy, normal lives.nnBecoming skilled at taking it easynnLearning how to relax may help you head off a panic attack. You can learn to relax through a variety of techniques, such as meditation, muscle relaxation, relaxed breathing and guided imagery (visualization).nnRelaxation is more than getting away from the work-a-day grind, and it's more than the absence of stress. It's a specific, intentional action that's positive and satisfying - a feeling in which you experience peace of mind. True relaxation requires becoming sensitive to your basic needs for peace, self-awareness and thoughtful reflection and having the willingness to meet these needs.nnRelaxation techniques can help lessen the discomfort and duration of the signs and symptoms of stress, such as headaches, anxiety, high blood pressure, trouble falling asleep, hyperventilation, and clenching or grinding your teeth. One simple method is to remove yourself from a stressful situation, block the world out and concentrate on your body. These steps can help you relax:nnnSit or lie in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Allow your jaw to drop and your eyelids to be relaxed and heavy, but not tightly closed. nnMentally scan your body. Start with your toes and work slowly up through your legs, buttocks, torso, arms, hands, fingers, neck and head. Focus on each part individually. Where you feel tension, imagine it melting away. nnTighten the muscles in one area of your body. Hold the muscles for a count of five or more before relaxing and moving on to the next area. This is a good method for releasing tension. Tighten the muscles of your face, shoulders, arms, legs and buttocks. I love this panic attack treatment.nnAllow thoughts to flow through your mind, but don't focus on any of them. Many people find using autosuggestion to be a great help. Suggest to yourself that you're relaxed and calm, that your hands are heavy and warm (or cool if you're hot), that your heart is beating calmly, and that you feel perfectly at peace. nnBreathe slowly, regularly and deeply during the procedure. Once you're relaxed, imagine you're in a favorite place or in a spot of great beauty and stillness. After five or 10 minutes, rouse yourself from the state gradually. nnSome of these tips will require your patience before you master them. Find the right panic attack treatment that works for you. Experiment with them until you find the one that works best for you.nnResources nMedicineNetnDr HoffmannMayo ClinicnnPlease send this article to people you care about that you think would be helped.n