I started having small panic attacks about a year ago. I had never experienced anything like that before, and I thought I was having heart failure (I'm 39), as it felt that someone was just sitting on my chest. After it happened a few times, I finally realized it was situational. I still have not gone on anything, because for the most part, I am scared of the meds. I may go a few weeks without one, and then have several a day for a stretch. I just have to get through them I guess. I don't have any tricks, other than occupying my time w/ busy work that will take my mind of things.