Republishing the AWARE method of anxiety management. Copied from http://anxietycoach.com  Hopefully it helps someone.

A - Acknowledge: Here I acknowledge the present reality, that I'm afraid and starting to panic. I won't try to ignore it, or pretend it's not there. I won't struggle to distract myself, tell myself to "stop thinking about it!", or snap rubber bands on my wrist.

I'm acknowledging simply that I am afraid, not that I am in danger. The thought that I am in danger is just another symptom of panic, not an important or useful thought.

A(2) Accept: Here, I accept the fact that I'm afraid at this moment. I don't fight the feeling; ask God to take it away; blame myself, or anybody else; or pour myself a beer. I accept, as best I can, that I'm afraid in the same way I would accept a headache.

I don't like headaches, but I don't bang my head against the wall in an effort to get rid of them, because that makes them worse. Overcoming panic attacks begins with working with, not against, my panic and anxiety symptoms.

Accepting the symptoms, not resisting, is a powerful step to overcoming panic attacks.

What makes a panic attack acceptable (not desirable, but acceptable) is that, while it feels awful and fills me with dread, it isn't dangerous. It won't kill me or make me crazy. Someone pointing a gun at me, that's not acceptable. I might get hurt or killed.

W - Wait & Watch: What I mean by "Wait" is this: don't just do something, stand there. It's similar to the suggestion "count to ten before you get mad".
One of the hallmarks of a panic attack is that it temporarily robs you of your ability to think, remember, and concentrate.

Jumping into action too quickly is a big obstacle to overcoming panic attacks.

So, even though you have a powerful urge to leave, postpone that decision for a little bit. Don't tell yourself you CAN'T leave - keep that option open so you don't feel trapped - but put off the decision about whether or not to leave.

Stay in the situation. You don't need to run away to get relief. Let relief come to you.

Use the occasion to observe how the panic works, and how you respond to it. The best way to do this is to fill out a panic diary. The diary is a questionnaire which helps you notice important aspects of a panic attack, so you can respond more effectively over time.

The best way to use the diary is to fill it out during the attack, rather than after. If you're in a situation where writing is impractical, perhaps while driving a car, maybe you can use a digital recorder, or have your support person read the questions to you and record you.

A - Actions to Make Myself Comfortable: Most people jump into action immediately, and this often leads them to do something that makes it worse, like telling off that cop who's about to give you a ticket.

It's not your job to bring the panic attack to an end; that will happen no matter what you do. Don't take my word for it. Review your personal history with panic attacks. Have you ever had one that didn't end?
The fact is, every panic attack ends no matter what you do.

The end of a panic attack is a part of a panic attack, just as much as the start of one is a part of it. It's not something you need to supply or make happen. The panic attack will end no matter what you do.

Even when you don't believe it will end, when you have the fearful thoughts that it will last forever, it still ends. So what is your job during a panic attack?

Your job is to see if you can make yourself a little more comfortable while waiting for the attack to end. And if you can't even make yourself a little more comfortable, then your job is just to wait for it to end.

R - Repeat: This step is here because you might start feeling better, then feel another wave of panic. Your first reaction might then be to think "Oh No, it didn't work!". Repeat is here to remind you that it's OK. Just take it from the top again. It's not unusual or dangerous.

E - End: This is here to remind you that your panic attack will end; that all panic attacks end; that they end regardless of how you respond; that it's not your job to make the attack end; and that your only job is get comfortable as possible while waiting for the attack to end.