Do you panic when you're in the midst of a crisis or when you feel overwhelmed by the pressures in your life? People in these situations sometimes "freeze up" — they feel paralyzed with anxiety and can't make themselves do anything to solve their problems.

They may feel that dealing with everything at once is insurmountable, and so they do nothing except feel more and more anxious.

If your sense of panic is caused by actual life events, there are some things you can do to help you cope. Try to compartmentalize and prioritize the challenges you are facing. Making a list of problems and approaching them one at a time can help. After you've broken down your tasks into more manageable component parts, tackling these smaller bites may not seem so impossible.

Another way to combat anxiety and panic is through mind-body training: breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, meditation, and aerobic exercises. Avoiding caffeine also may help reduce anxiety.

If, however, you are experiencing repeated intense panic attacks for no apparent reason, then it may be necessary to consult a health care professional.

The two major treatments for panic are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications, both of which have been shown to help most people with panic disorder. Sometimes CBT and medications are used in combination.

There are several different approaches to cognitive therapy, but most involve these steps:  

• Learning about the illness and its symptoms. This is the foundation of treatment and is key to mastering the subsequent steps of CBT.
• Monitoring panic attacks. Keeping track of when and where the intense anxiety strikes can help you recognize your triggers and understand how to respond in different situations.
• Breathing and relaxation techniques. These can help you regain control during an episode of panic and anxiety.
• Rethinking can help you see how often you may be misinterpreting situations. Looking at things in a new way can help you redirect your thinking so you do not exaggerate problems or overreact to them.
• Exposure, gradually, to those situations that have led to high anxiety in the past can help you learn to tolerate them better over time.

Several medications are used to treat patients with panic disorder, the most common of which are antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both these two classes of drugs and so they should be prescribed based on the patient's particular situation. For example, a person with panic disorder may also have another disorder, such as major depression or substance abuse, which may need to be addressed as well.

High anxiety and panic attacks may seem completely irrational to someone who has never experienced them; thus, it's important for people with panic disorder to get support and understanding from family members and others in their lives.

With effective treatment, it is possible for people with panic disorder to manage their condition and gradually gain confidence in their ability to live normal lives without the disability and embarrassment of panic attacks.