There are a lot of very effective panic attack treatment options that have been shown to effectively help with the symptoms of panic disorders. Many are mainstream medicine and a few root from complementary and alternative medicine. No matter the type, the objective of each treatment remains similar – to control the symptoms, prevent them from recurring, and eliminate them.

{Medications}

Drugs are used primarily for managing the symptoms of panic attack. Usually, these are created for short-term use. Although a number of medications have been known to effectively reduce symptoms, unless specified, these are targeted at helping symptoms subside during an attack. Some panic attack drugs that have been approved by FDA are:

{Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)}

Generally safe and low risk, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) is a class of anti-panic attack drug that is considered the first choice for controlling symptoms. These are actually intended for treating depression although they are largely used treatment of panic attack. Under this class, medications that have been approved by FDA for treatment of panic attack are paroxetine (brand names: Rexeva, Paxil and Paxil CR), sertraline (brand name: Zoloft), and flouxetine (brand name: Prozac).

{Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)}

Another class of antidepressants, SNRIS are used primarily for treatment of chronic sadness and irritability. Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) help with symptoms of panic attack by preventing their reabrosption or reuptake into the brain cells. Although the exact mechanism behind this group of drugs remains unclear, it is clear that it helps improve mood. The approved drug for treatment of panic attack and disorder is venlafaxine or Effexor XR.

{Benzodiazpines}

Benzodiazpines are mild sedatives and belong to a class of drugs called central nervous system or CNS antidepressants. FDA-approved benzodiazepines for treatment of panic attack are Xanax or alprazolam and clonazepam or Klonopin. These medications, in particular, are given during emergency situations.

While generally very effective, panic medications often cause serious and sometimes life-threatening side effects. The most common side-effects of using any panic medication are upset stomach, nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, vomiting, insomnia, trouble sleeping and sleepiness, seizures, sexual dysfunction, comatose, among others.

{Psychotherapy}

Also known as counseling or talk therapy, psychotherapy is a tool that works very effectively for panic attack. Three notable psychotherapy techniques are frequently used for people with panic attacks – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, exposure therapy, and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

{Cognitive behavioral therapy}

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is a technique that works by changing cognition or the thinking patterns of a person that trigger the fears and panic attacks. Essentially, this tries to correct an inappropriate behavior by correcting the thinking pattern.

{Exposure Therapy}

Exposure therapy uses simulation techniques to recreate the actual conditions that trigger an attack. This technique teaches sufferers to form healthier and more appropriate responses as they get acclimatized to the anxiety levels caused by the simulation.

{Psychodynamic Psychotherapy}

Psychodynamic psychotherapy focuses on identifying internal emotional conflicts that contribute to panic attacks and form avoidance behaviors.

With careful choice of panic attack treatment, most patients are eventually able to resume to normal lives. Talk to your doctor to find out which treatment would work for you.