What does a panic attack feel like? Here is a scenario that demonstrates some common panic attack symptoms. Picture yourself shopping in the supermarket. You're going up and down the aisles, filling up your cart with items from your shopping list. Then you go and stand on line at the register. You start to feel funny, like the blood is draining down the back of your neck. You feel dizzy, clammy and your breathing is very rapid and shallow. Your heart starts pounding in your chest, you've got the chills and you feel queasy. You feel as though you've lost total control of yourself and are losing your mind. This is a panic attack.

Usually, once someone has a panic attack, they will more than likely have others. Although most occur during the day, they have been known to happen at night during sleep. Panic attacks generally peak within about 10 minutes, but can last up to a half hour, with the calming down period lasting much longer.

The unpleasant panic attack symptoms can sometimes cause the sufferer to develop phobias, which can significantly affect the quality of life. The fears are terrifying enough to cause some people to avoid certain activites or places, or even go into isolation. It is helpful to know some useful techniques which can often reduce, eliminate or in some cases prevent attacks. In many cases, some can even reduce or eliminate the need for medical treatment.

The first thing to realize is that as devastating as these attacks are, they are not fatal. Even though it doesn't feel this way during an actual attack, you can be sure that you will recover. And after you learn a few useful tricks, you'll be able to initiate some of these techniques at the onset of an attack to help control or even stop it.

Control your breathing when you first feel an attack coming on. Focusing on taking slow, rhythmic breaths will help keep your mind off of the attack. Hold the breath for several seconds before exhaling slowly. Doing this will help keep oxygen flowing to the brain and prevent hyperventilation.

After controlling your breathing, control your mind. The last thing you want to do is think about what's happening, as that will compound the problem. Think of anything that calms you, or think of something that makes you happy. This could be a person, place or an event of which you have pleasant memories. This, along with the measured breathing, will start to relax both mind and body.

By understanding your panic attack symptoms, you'll be better able to take control of, or even stop the attack in its tracks.