Panic attacks Treatment and Prevention

A fundamental step of treatment is to understand the cycle and the psychological dimension involved in panic attacks.

The treatment of panic disorder usually involves a combination of medication and behavioral therapy and / or cognitive. The goals of treatment are to reduce the number and frequency of panic attacks and thereby improve the quality of life of the person.

The doctor may also make the recommendation of a behavioral therapy such as exposure therapy or relaxation in order to reduce fear and anxiety. During exposure therapy, the patient is slowly exposed to the same position as that triggered the panic attack, until the fear and anxiety decrease to reach a sustainable level or to end disappear. In the case of relaxation therapy, the patient is given of techniques that allow it to relax in situations that previously triggered panic attacks.

We can also recommend cognitive therapy (psychotherapy). Cognitive therapy attempts to change the thought patterns of the patient by helping them analyze their reactions to the triggers of panic attacks.

Psychotherapy, combined with a number of relaxation methods, such as acupuncture, meditation, etc., give very good results. It is of course the patient, assisted or not, to adopt those that best fit.

In addition, techniques such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), originally planned for the Treatment of post-traumatic seizures, or mild hypnotic techniques (Ericksonian hypnosis) can reconfronter people with panic attacks their memories of crisis, and especially to clear these past-their emotional hyperintense major factor avoidance and thus of increasing attacks.

The technique TIPI (Technical Identification of sensory unconscious fear) which is to revive the body what he remembered as a result of trauma most often intra-uterine devices) can "turn off" the lasting and very quickly origin of anxiety.


The drug may be indicated in cases of repeated crises. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam and clonazepam are usually prescribed for this purpose. The mere fact that the patient has the medication in their possession may be anxiolytic and prevent the development of a crisis. However, these drugs can cause addiction, and are not always effective, especially during crises which appear in a brutal way. A beta blocker non-selective propranolol (Avlocardyl), to block discharge of adrenaline and stop annoying symptoms such as palpitations, tremors, and can be taken promptly, with good tolerance and non-addictive. Propranolol works
very well for example in the prevention of trac artists.


Some doctors prefer prescribing SSRI antidepressants (much better tolerated than tricyclic antidepressants called), which after a specified period are effective in preventing panic attacks. Taking antidepressant or anxiolytic may put off some people, but it is sometimes necessary.

It is also common for patients, feeling better after a short period of treatment, decided to stop all treatment, this is a mistake.

Indeed, the abrupt cessation of Treatment type antidepressant and anxiolytic without cessation or long (weeks to months) may bring back symptoms even worse.

With the help of a treatment, not only medical but also psychotherapy, patients with panic disorder are usually able to regain their balance, however, relapse is possible.