By learning to understand why the panic attacks occur, and learn to control various fears and anxieties, sufferers can actually stop panic attacks. Some people may experience repeated attacks with no apparent reasons as to why. Others are afraid of something, and often the fear is irrational and unfounded. When this happens the symptoms of the attack will be progressive, often minor in the beginning.

Eventually it results in a major, much more frightening, attack. This is most likely when medical attention is sought. A sufferer may find themselves avoiding certain places and situations, for fear of an attack. This can actually worsen the problem, with irrational thoughts raising anxiety levels to unacceptable levels. Sufferers might start avoiding everyday activities like driving, shopping, eating out, or attending class. The circumstances, as to what and when they choose to avoid, will increase.

Inevitably avoidance behavior will inhibit the possibility of a normal life and, in extreme cases, can lead to agoraphobia, and worse. It can destroy morale and leave a person with feelings of hopelessness, even suffer from psychological depression. They might turn to alcohol or drugs to try and relax, thinking this will reduce their anxieties. The tragedy is, this condition is treatable, yet one in five sufferers ultimately try to end their life. This makes the necessity to stop repeated attacks even more decisive. Avoidance behavior develops because of an extreme fear, of a panic attack. It was first discussed as a recognized diagnosis in nineteen eighty, by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic& Statistical Manual (DSM) 111 in 1980. There has been much ongoing research since then.

To stop the attacks, and avoid escalating problems, you need to learn to relax and reduce your anxiety levels. Of course, this can be easier said than done. The problem is, the mind has learnt to associate 'panic' with various kinds of situations, like driving or visiting the Mall. This is despite the fact neither are life threatening or considered an abnormal occurrence. This is when 'desensitization', or 'de-conditioning' must take place, in order to stop panic attacks happening and avoidance behavior developing to extreme and uncontrollable proportions.

One way to execute desensitization is to gradually return the sufferer to what they see as the problem -for example shopping, or going to a restaurant. It does depend on the situation, but generally the best way to deal with the attacks is to stay in the situation which provokes them, eventually the attack will usually subside.