A panic attack is a sudden surge of uncomfortable and frightening physical symptoms - increased heart rate, dizziness or light headedness, shortness of breath, chest pains, nausea, inability to concentrate, and confusion - combined with thoughts of impending doom.
So, when a panic attack strikes, you have to react as quickly as possible so as not to let the feelings and emotions intensify.
So what steps can you take to prevent anxiety and panic attacks taking control.
These attacks take hold and intensify very quickly, so you have very little time to stop them.
As soon as you feel any of the symptoms start to develop or begin to think or feel that an attack is about to start, the first thing you should do is to close your eyes, but not too tightly.
Then take a few light breaths and allow those symptoms or thoughts to pass.
It is very important that you do not attempt to fight against them because then you will lose control over them, allowing them to intensify.
Fortunately, by changing your breathing you can reverse these symptoms.
You must accept the situation and with your eyes closed and continuing to breathe gently, you can begin to gain control.
In your mind, accept that the situation is real but that you are in control; you are not going crazy and every thing is fine.
Accept that the situation exists for now but it is your mind that is playing tricks on you and you are fine.
In this way, by learning to accept your fears and symptoms you will re-gain control over your mind and body and you will then be able to prevent anxiety and panic attacks taking over.
However, dealing with these attacks is quite different to eliminating them completely from your life.
Those who suffer from panic attacks can take medication, make some changes to their lifestyle or carry our relaxation exercises.
But there is a fundamental difference between them and someone who has completely eliminated their problem.
This is the fact that the latter no longer fear the thought of having another attack.
If this seems a little too simple then consider the reason why most people and maybe you, read articles such as this one.
The main thing that has you searching for a solution to anxiety and panic attacks is the fear of having another one.
If you can break the cycle of anxiety that has you fearing that next attack, you will find that path back to a normal life.
You will have found the way to prevent anxiety and panic attacks ever blighting your life again.