About a week and half ago, I had my first panic attack. My doctor put me on Paxil to see if it helps. Is this type of disorder completely curable? I am trying to be aggressive with my treatment. I don't want this to go on long-term. I'm 28 and just really getting started with my life. I am really scared!

Shawn

Even full-fledged panic disorder IS curable in the sense that it doesn't have to be a lifelong sentence. Good psychological and behavioral treatment is available for panic and anxiety. Your best bet is to seek out a psychologist or other therapist experienced in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Strategies for alleviating panic and anxiety include breathing exercises and breathing retraining (addressing the relationship between panic and hyperventilation), and targeting and changing thoughts and beliefs associated with panic and anxiety. Part of the latter includes overcoming fear of the physical symptoms of panic. (Fear that you're having a heart attack or dying during a panic attack tends to "feed" and maintain or increase one's panic.)

You can find out more about how to address panic attacks in Elke Zuercher- White's book An End to Panic: Breakthrough Techniques for Overcoming Panic Disorder. The book contains a chapter co-authored by Zuercher-White and psychiatrist Dennis J. Munjack on "When to Consider Medications" that you might find helpful.