Panic attacks are frightening and often mimic life threatening episodes, such as heart attack or stroke.
The attacks inevitably pass and even though you are momentarily back to normal, the fear of having another turn, begins a roller coaster ride which usually starts with rising anxiety.

• How to deal with panic attacks is to reduce your stress levels.
  

It is generally agreed that most stress comes from within you, which means you can do something about it by changing old attitudes and thinking habits.
There are lifestyle changes you can make that will pay off in the long term, such as cutting right back on alcohol or caffeine.
But first you will want to find some quick relief with a few techniques you can try when next you have a day or two to yourself.

• Try these self help tips to prevent anxiety and panic attacks:

Prepare you mind and admit you have a problem, then make a commitment to getting some inner calm.
Write a list of all the good things in your life and for just the next couple of days be positive.
"Fool" your subconscious mind into believing you are an optimist by putting your problems on the backburner.
This will help lower your stress levels.
Replace stressful thoughts with relaxing ones by finding time to be alone.
Using your imagination in a negative way might have got you into trouble initially, but you can make it work for you by seeing yourself in a favorite place, by yourself.
It will take practice, but with constant repetition, you will increase your positive thoughts and you'll have less of the negative ones.

• Some of the best remedies are often the simplest.
  

Repetition is the foundation for some of the time-proven disciplines such as meditation, tai chi, and prayer.
Even physically repetitive pastimes can prevent panic attacks by altering our mind's response to stress and anxiety.
My wife benefits by playing mah jong on her computer, but you could also try playing solitaire, or take up knitting, quilting or wool spinning.
Another proven way to "fool" your subconscious mind is the power of laughter, which is almost guaranteed to lower stress levels.
Even if you feel too miserable to contemplate laughing, faking it can switch your brain's mood.
If you need convincing, get on to Google and do a search for Dr Madan Kataria and his organization, Laughter Yoga International.
Rediscover the power to escape from your worries with a good book, a real paperback that you can take with you to a calm place.
Bring your imagination into play again and forget your anxieties by immersing yourself in the lives of fictional characters and their situations.
If you haven't the patience for reading and prefer to be active, start an exercise program, no matter what your age or physical limitations.
Exercise as simple as regular walks, will stimulate your concentration, as well as increase the level of endorphins in your brain.
This naturally occurring neurotransmitter will lift your mood and prevent panic attacks the natural way.
Restful music is another way how to deal with panic attacks, and takes little effort on your part.