A panic attack is a sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort which peaks quickly. Often there is real danger or apparant cause. Symtoms include intense fear, heart palpitations, pounding heart, accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, or shortness of breath. Treatment include psychotherapy, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft), Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine hydrochloride (Effexor XR), and benzodiazepine drugs such as alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin).
How is Panic attacks treated in practice?