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Patients who experience panic attacks have several treatment options. In most cases, effective treatment consists of a combination of therapy and medications.

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can help patients learn techniques that will better enable them to handle panic attacks when they occur. Patients learn how to recognize the signs of an impending attack and how to use breathing and relaxation techniques to reduce symptoms. They may also learn how to change their thinking to view the attacks more realistically and understand that they are medically harmless. In addition, patients may be gradually exposed to the stimuli that cause them anxiety so that they can get used to and overcome the source of their fear.

Some antidepressant medications are usually effective in preventing future attacks, even in patients who are not depressed. Anti-anxiety medications may also be prescribed.

The use of antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications should be closely monitored. In addition, certain antidepressants may not be recommended for some patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thinking in children and adolescents and all people being treated with them should be monitored closely for unusual changes in behavior.