How much time do you spend 
with a paper bag? This old remedy for the hyperventilation that occurs during panic attacks supposedly works by making the sufferer re-inhale used air, limiting the amount of oxygen he gets until he calms. However, doctors say increasing carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream may be a cause of panic attacks.
Other remedies that people have come up with over the years include deep breathing techniques, spoken affirmations (“I am in a calm place”) and strategies that distract the mind from the attack. Some people are driven to get medical help and take medication or visit a psychiatrist; others swear by a good stiff drink.
If you suffer from regular panic attacks, you will know how unpleasant they are. Sufferers often think they are having a heart attack as their heart races and they become short of breath, sometimes even experiencing real chest pains.
Barry McDonagh, an Irish undergraduate, experienced panic away attacks with such regularity that he decided to do something to stop them. His system Panic Away is available as a book and discs