Panic attacks and panic disorder

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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

There's no sure way to prevent panic attacks or panic disorder. However, these recommendations may help.

  • Get treatment for panic attacks as soon as possible to help stop them from getting worse or becoming more frequent.
  • Stick with your treatment plan to help prevent relapses or worsening of panic attack symptoms.
  • Get regular physical activity, which may play a role in protecting against anxiety.
References
  1. Panic attack. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 6, 2012.
  2. Hales RE, et al. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. Accessed March 7, 2012.
  3. Panic disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/panic-disorder.shtml. Accessed March 6, 2012.
  4. Answers to your questions about panic disorder. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/panic-disorder.aspx. Accessed March 6, 2012.
  5. Practice guideline for the treatment of panic disorder, Second edition. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association. http://psychiatryonline.org/content.aspx?bookid=28&sectionid=1680635. Accessed March 6, 2012.
  6. Inositol. National Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Feb. 20, 2012.
  7. Smits JA, et al. The interplay between physical activity and anxiety sensitivity in fearful responding to carbon dioxide challenge. Psychosomatic Medicine. 2011;6:498.
  8. Saeed SA, et al. Exercise, yoga and meditation for depressive and anxiety disorders. American Family Physician. 2010;8:981.
  9. Panic disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 6, 2012.
  10. Katon W, et al. Panic disorder: Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 7, 2012.
  11. Roy-Byrne PP. Pharmacotherapy for panic disorder. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 7, 2012.
  12. Whiteside SP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 24, 2012.
  13. Moore KM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 17, 2012.
  14. Fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac Weekly), paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft), alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan). Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed March 8, 2012 and May 23, 2012.
DS00338 May 31, 2012

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