Many people believe that there is no way to prevent panic attacks. They have suffered for years and believe they have tried everything. Psychiatric therapies and drugs have not worked for them. To prevent panic attacks, a new approach is required.

What causes panic attacks? There are different theories about this. Those who favor the medication option like to talk of a chemical imbalance in the brain. But since there is no test for this, it remains just a theory.

Repressed emotions, say others, but we must all be subject to some of those. They don't cause us all to have debilitating panic attacks though.

Another theory is that physical, mental or emotional exhaustion lead to a general state of anxiety, where we are more sensitized to the triggers that might lead to a panic attack. While this state persists, noticing a change in the body or an anxious thought can send you into a downward spiral of anxiety.

We only feel worse when it is given a label of "Anxiety Disorder". It just confirms that there is something we should be worrying about.

Finally, your 'fight or flight' response kicks in. This is designed to protect you, preparing you to fight or escape. It gets your adrenaline pumping and primes your blood with oxygen, which leads to some of the strange feelings that precede panic attacks. But this is a perfectly normal response.

It is out of your control, but why do you need to control it? You are able to breathe without having to think about it. Everything is fine but it doesn't feel like that. You have the urge to fight this feeling, but fighting it only makes it seem worse.

In fighting against your panic attacks, you are adding energy to them. Trying to bring them under conscious control is like trying to control your digestive system. They are a normal process of your body and cannot harm you. Normally, when a perceived threat has passed, another system begins to restore the balance. You just have to let it happen.

Preventing panic attacks requires a new attitude to the onset of these feelings. Then you must take steps to reduce your general anxiety level. Lastly, the change must be made permanent. Setbacks are normal and part of the healing process. You can end your panic attacks by following some simple techniques.

You first need to welcome and embrace your panic attacks. Explore them and learn their limits. This takes work and practice, but remarkably quickly, your fear will melt away. No matter how long you have suffered, you can prevent panic attacks.