The first thing you should do is talk to your family doctor and he or she will decide whether you have a medical problem that is causing these symptoms or whether it is anxiety attacks. There are some medical and psychological conditions that cause anxiety attacks as side-effects. What happens next depends on the severity of the attacks, but generally you would be referred to a specialist - a therapist or counselor.

Before you start looking into treatments for panic attacks, you first need to realise the implications and think very carefully about which route you should take. You first need to be familiar with the symptoms, causes and implications of having a panic attack. Fortunately, panic attacks are not physically harmful in any way and though unpleasant, you can actually live a fairly normal life if you do not suffer from them too frequently.

The first thing you should do is talk to your family doctor and he or she will decide whether you have a medical problem that is causing these symptoms or whether it is anxiety attacks. There are some medical and psychological conditions that cause anxiety attacks as side-effects. What happens next depends on the severity of the attacks, but generally you would be referred to a specialist - a therapist or counselor.

However, if you are suffering frequently from panic attacks and they are becoming extremely detrimental towards your everyday life then you should probably start considering the various options for treatment. The main problem which often causes panic attacks is fear. When you conquer the fear of a possible onset of an anxiety attack, you will then be feeling much better.

The problem with things like panic attacks is that it is generally not something that you want to admit to anyone, even your doctor. However, getting over this is essential and as with any medical or psychological problem, you can be sure that there are highly trained professionals out there who can come to your aid.

Psychiatrists will often be able to help you and since panic attacks are a psychological problem, you may be able to overcome the problem just by talking to a psychiatrist without having to start taking any medications.

There is also the option of medication, which may be required if the problem is particularly severe and you suffer panic attacks frequently. Drugs that have been tested and proven to work effectively against panic attacks are anti-depressants such as sertraline and paroxetine and have also been approved by the general medical community.

There are some other medications on the market, but you will find that the doctor will be able to give you exactly the prescription that you need. It is very important that you stick very close to the recommendations of your doctors since some of the drugs used to treat panic attacks can be severely harmful if taken incorrectly. Certain drugs are more potent than others but the potency of the drug required will be something dealt with by your doctor so make sure that you stay with the given dose.

Panic attacks are not an uncommon problem, but treatment is right around the corner so there is no need to live with them. You just need to get over the fear of asking your doctor for help. There is nothing to be ashamed of and no reason to be embarrassed.

Panic attacks and anxiety disorders are actually among a host of diseases having similar symptoms and tendencies, though to the expert they do differ widely. The ailments commonly covered under anxiety disorders are:

1. Generalized anxiety Disorder (GAD) - the commonest form, something that most people indirectly refer to as anxiety attack

2. Panic attack - the severest form, characterized by almost heart-attack like symptoms

3. Phobias - result of unknown influences, but results in insane fear of some agent

4. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - result of past trauma and results in terror of the agent that resulted in the previous trauma

5. Separation Disorder - occurs usually in children as they are sent to schools or hostels

6. Obsessive and Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - has a strong genetic component and is characterized by the repetition of a certain common act an abnormal number of times within a fixed period

One can summarise commonest anxiety disorder symptoms like palpitations, sweating, nausea, giddiness, trembling limbs, feeling disassociation from surroundings and uneasiness in stomach etc. People suffering from GAD and panic attack showcase mild symptoms. In many cases they also exaggerate. These symptoms are also seen in patients suffering from PTSD and Phobia. Such aspects depend upon intensity and level of disorder besides fear. Likewise in separation disorder sufferers show same symptoms. Often degree of symptoms varies in such cases and they depend upon a situation when sufferers undergo and resultant impact of their surrounding. In OCD sufferers express symptoms with behavioural changes controlled to particular extent.

The criteria formulated by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is a basis of anxiety disorder diagnosis. Likewise Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV) is also a type of classification which define categories of above mentioned anxiety disorder.

In fact panic attack cures are completely possible today. They are applied with utmost care and some such treatments are as follows:

1. Talking sessions with the psychotherapist - such professionals are good listeners who convince patient by portraying best sympathies through good understanding and finding out means to make a person feel comfortable. This category of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is supportive to develop optimism and positive strength in patients who are encouraged to cope up with their symptoms. Some more therapies of this category are:

o Exposure therapy - meant for the sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder and phobia

o Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy - used to control patients of obsessive and compulsive disorder

2. Hypnosis - although a bit controversial but this therapy is another powerful mechanism which gets applied on particular subjects only. It should be applied by trained professionals. Use of this method helps the suffers have sound sleep once hypnotist makes it possible to control mind for investigating possible reasons of anxiety disorder

3. Warm or hot water ablutions in various forms - a seething long hot baths, spa treatments and sauna or steam baths work effectively by developing a position in which good amount of sweating, easing tensions and toxins are done through relaxant methods. Sleep is a part of these procedure in which panic attack cure is made easy.

4. Massages - when muscles are kneaded properly by trained masseuses it helps in removing toxic lactic acid out of the body. Massages from ayurvedic and aromatic oils are of best use in easing such sufferers. Several specialized techniques such as acupressure and acupuncture are used in this regard for making bodies powerful.

5. Exercises - Yoga and Thai-Chi are best exercises which release negative energy out of the body by helping it achieve better reposing of power.

6. Laughter Therapy - this therapy provides opportunity to take respite from daily life activities and get chance to control unnecessary mental burden. World Laughter Day is celebrated around the world on 3rd May. In fact laughter is good means to develop happiest atmosphere. It is best panic attack cure without incurring any expenditure.

Sometimes, however, these cures are not enough by themselves. They have to be supplemented with medicines for panic disorder, which are available at the chemist’s if prescribed by the clinician. The major groups of medicines include:

•Benzodiazepines – Alprazolam, Clonzepam, Diazepam

•Buspirone

•Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) – Paroxetine, Sertraline, Fluvoxamine

•Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) – Venlafaxine, Tramadol

•Tricyclic Antidepressants – Amitriptyline, Trimipramine