How to Get Through a Panic Attack

Panic attacks are sudden surges of overwhelming fear and anxiety that typically reach their peak intensity within a few minutes.

They’re common in people with anxiety disorders, but can occur in pretty much anyone. Having a panic attack doesn’t necessarily mean you have panic disorder.

A large survey in 2016 found that around 13% of people worldwide have had a panic attack at least once. Of those people, only 2–3% had panic disorder.

During a panic attack, you might experience:

• a racing heart or palpitations
• sweating
• shortness of breath
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• derealization or depersonalization
• a fear of dying
• chest pain
• chills or hot flashes
• shaking
• tingling or numbness
• nausea
• stomach pain or upset

For some people, panic attacks have a trigger — maybe they come on from a specific event, like crossing a bridge or speaking in public. For other people, a panic attack comes on unexpectedly with no apparent cause.

Though they pose no real danger, your fears of having another panic attack can be severe enough to significantly impact your daily life.

Everyone will experience panic attacks in unique ways, so strategies that work for one person may not work for you. Some strategies may work at one point, but not at others.

The key is to try a variety of techniques until you find the ones that fit best for you.

1. Recognize that this is a panic attack

The first thing you can do once your symptoms start is to acknowledge them for what they are — a panic attack. It’s not life threatening, won’t harm you, and will be gone soon.

It can be tempting to run from feelings of panic, but accepting your emotional state can be helpful for getting through an attack.

Tell yourself: This is temporary. It will pass soon.

2. Stay grounded

Many people who have panic attacks find it helpful to ground themselves in their surroundings. Staying in the present can lessen your feelings of unreality and fear.

There are a lot of techniques to keep yourself grounded.

One of these is the 5-4-3-2-1 method. It involves focusing on your five senses to anchor you to your surroundings.

Smelling lavender can also help some people stay grounded — and research has found inhaling this scent could reduce anxiety.

Need some other grounding techniques to try?

• Press your feet firmly into the ground.
• Eat or drink one of your favorite foods (for added benefit, do it mindfully).
• Write down how you’re feeling in a journal.
• Find and focus on your pulse.

3. Relax your muscles

Muscle relaxation techniques can offer plenty of health benefits, including:

• lowering blood pressure
• improving sleep
• reducing anxiety

Research has found that relaxation methods like progressive muscle relaxation can reduce anxiety.

The goal of muscle relaxation techniques is to reduce stress by contracting and then slowly relaxing muscles, thus releasing tension throughout the body. You can tense your muscles for between 5 and 10 seconds, or however long feels comfortable to you.

4. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is all about being aware, staying present, and accepting how you feel in the moment.

By simply acknowledging how you feel mentally and physically — without judgment — you may be able to lessen the discomfort brought on by a panic attack. Instead of being angry and scared, you can accept and reflect on your symptoms.

Some research suggests that mindfulness-based interventions are just as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating anxiety. Of course, the benefits will depend on the person.

If your panic attacks are often triggered by unsettling bodily sensations, practicing mindfulness may be especially helpful. Learning to accept nonthreatening physical feelings rather than fight them can help prevent panic symptoms.

Mindfulness strategies include:

• meditation
• yoga
• breathing exercises

5. Visualize your happy place

It sounds simple, but picturing yourself in an environment that brings you joy or where you’re surrounded by people who support you can bring great comfort during a panic attack.

Consider keeping a picture handy of people or places that make you feel at peace.

6. Talk to someone

Even better than visualizing the person who brings you comfort is actually talking to them. Not only can they provide a needed sense of security and joy, but they can remind you that your symptoms are momentary and can’t hurt you.

Maybe what you need is a friend or family member to hold your hand or occupy you with conversation in the midst of an attack.

7. Ride it out

Another technique is to simply ride the panic attack out. It may seem counterintuitive, but confronting your fear rather than running from it can help panic attacks pass faster and prevent them in the future.

If you show yourself that you can fully experience all these overwhelming symptoms and come out of it safe and healthy, you allow yourself to regain control. You learn that the panic attack won’t hurt you.

One popular technique used for getting through panic attacks is called the “DARE response,” developed by Barry McDonagh for facing anxiety head-on. The idea is to actually engage with your feelings of panic, reframing them as positive excitement rather than fear.

It should be noted that the DARE response technique hasn’t been assessed with scientific experimentation.

Learning how to cope when you’re not currently in the throes of a panic attack can help reduce the likelihood and severity of attacks in the future.

8. Learn your triggers

Panic attacks can seem to come out of nowhere. But in many cases, there are actually subtle underlying triggers to panic.

Figuring out what’s most likely causing your panic attacks can be an important step in managing them. Identifying your triggers is especially helpful in psychotherapy.

Since it can take some time, keeping a journal to reflect on your past panic attacks can help you determine patterns and triggers.

The goal isn’t to avoid the triggers, but rather to learn how to cope with them and address them head-on.

9. Make a plan

Planning for a panic attack includes educating yourself on what to expect and why they happen. Research suggests that panic is reduced when knowledge about panic attacks and anxiety disorders is increased.

If you’ve already experienced a panic attack, you likely have some insight into what worked and what didn’t. Did breathing exercises help or worsen your symptoms? What about physical activity?

Thinking about these things and making a plan can help you feel more in control and lessen the severity of future panic attacks.

10. Manage your stress

One of the best ways to manage panic attacks and improve overall well-being is with stress management.

Treatment plans will vary from person to person — some people will take meds to manage their symptoms or go to regular therapy. Others may find that relaxation and self-care tools can help them in managing their panic attacks.

Sometimes it’s a little bit of everything, but managing stress can benefit everyone.

Some options for stress management include:

• breathing exercises
• practicing meditation
• keeping a journal
• spending time in nature

11. Exercise

The benefits of exercise on levels of anxiety and panic vary for each person.

Research has found that regular exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as improve sleep quality and mood.

Since exercise can raise your heart rate, make you sweat, and have other side effects that mimic panic, you might want to first try more gentle exercise if exercise brings on a panic attack for you.

Also, consider trying an exercise routine or activity you enjoy, such as yoga or walking, to help manage your stress and anxiety.

12. Take your prescribed medication

If a healthcare professional has prescribed you medication, it’s important to continue taking your meds as instructed. If you have concerns about side effects or want to make adjustments, you can always reach out to them for tweaks.

Research has shown that some antidepressants — such as SSRIs and SNRIs — can be helpful in treating panic disorder.

There are other meds that may be prescribed for panic attacks or anxiety. Benzodiazepines (like Xanax or Ativan) are powerful meds that can quickly reduce symptoms of panic attacks. That being said, use of these medications are often carefully considered since they can lead to tolerance or dependence.

13. Challenge unhealthy thoughts

CBT is widely used and typically regarded as one of the most effective treatments for panic disorder and other anxiety disorders.

People who have panic attacks often experience negative and fear-based thought processes, which turn into or increase anxiety.

The goal of CBT is to replace distorted and destructive thinking with more logical and accurate thoughts.

CBT techniques can also help you develop coping mechanisms and make changes that can help you better manage panic and anxiety.

14. Try exposure therapy

Exposure therapy involves being exposed to whatever triggers your panic attacks or fears. A small 2019 study suggests that it may be helpful for reducing symptoms of a panic attack.

Exposing yourself to your triggers may seem scary and unproductive. But repeatedly learning that these events can’t actually hurt you can make a difference in the long run.

Exposure therapy should always begin under the direction of a mental health professional.

15. Talk with a doctor

If you or a loved one has been having panic attacks, you can reach out to a healthcare professional for support.

If you don’t have access to a healthcare professional, you may want to consider telehealth services or call a nearby clinic.

Need more resources for therapy? You can check out our handy Psych Central guides:

• What to Do When You Can’t Afford Therapy
• The Best Free Online Therapy and Mental Support Services
• The Best Affordable Therapy Options
• The Best Online Psychiatry Services

Professionals can provide more information on treatment options and recommend other strategies for coping.

Dealing with panic attacks can be scary and frustrating, no matter how few or many attacks you’ve had. In severe cases, panic attacks can interfere with your day-to-day life and cause overwhelming stress and anxiety.

While figuring out what works for you might take some time, along with trial and error, panic attacks are highly manageable.

Don’t be afraid to switch things up and try something new if a technique doesn’t work for you.

If your panic attacks become overwhelming, less manageable, or start happening more frequently, you can always reach out to a mental health professional for support.