I, too, suffer from anxiety attacks - I take Xanax to help control it and sometimes I get them anyway. My T has taught me how to breathe deeply, relax my body, focus on something calming and it usually goes away. I am down to only about 10 seconds to lower the panic to a tolerable level. But, it is important to see a doctor and if the doctor is not in the mental health field, see a therapist also. Panic disorder is very, very frightening when it happens but it is a brain chemical imbalance when the adrenaline pours into your system getting you ready for the fight or flight as mentioned. It also helps to learn what the triggers for the attack are. I have identified about 15 things that trigger mine.