The first time you experience a panic attack, you should get professional help.
The one panic attack you have just had may never happen again, or it could be the beginning of a cycle of attacks that can be terrifying.
Your attack may have been triggered by a life-changing event (such as losing a loved-one or a job, or having to fly for the first time), or it could have been brought on by an unknown trigger.
Either way, it is extremely important to have a professional evaluate whether or not it was a panic attack in and of itself, or if it was the manifestation of another condition.
There is no way to do this by yourself.
If you are unable to live a normal life as the result of your attacks, then it is time to seek help.
This is especially important if you have tried several remedies on your own and have found no relief.
Get yourself to the doctor right away if you can no longer do things you should be able to do, like drive to work, or if you believe you may becoming agoraphobic.
If you don't seek panic disorder treatments, be aware they can go on to cause depression and phobias, and even heart disease.
Untreated panic attacks can also result in suicide.
If you begin to feel yourself slipping farther and farther into depression, or if you start having thoughts of suicide, do not wait, seek medical intervention immediately.
When you find yourself using alcohol or drugs in an effort to get relief from panic attacks, then you should consider getting professional assistance.
When you start this cycle, you are doing nothing but feeding the attacks, as these things are really triggers for more panic attacks.
You should see your medical professional right away if you have gotten to the point where you think that drugs or alcohol are the only way to get relief from your attacks.
When there is a specific and identifiable trigger for your attacks, things like fear of water, heights or flying, you may benefit from a type of treatment known as Exposure Therapy.
This is where you actually learn to face your fears, but it must be done one step at a time, and it must be done with a professional coach.
This type of therapy can have very negative outcomes if done too fast, and will have no positive benefit if done too slowly.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series where we will go into detail of things you can do on your own to treat your panic attacks.