ABSTRACT
Many people who have panic attacks find that they are generally overstressed. If the panic attacks are related to their general level of stress, they must try to do something about this first. Aerobic exercise, relaxation tapes, meditation, and some cognitive therapy can all be very effective. Depression, as well as anxiety, can cause panic attacks, so this needs to be addressed, either by self-help techniques, counselling, or psychotherapy, or by medication, or by a combination of these. In a panic attack, it is very common to struggle for the in-breath, or to take very high, short, fast breaths. It is important—indeed absolutely necessary—to breathe in gently, people need to hold it for a moment, and then breathe out very deeply—in order to change the oxygen/ carbon dioxide balance in their blood stream. This should stop the attack within a few breaths.
