Many people do overcome panic and anxiety without medications, or with temporary medications. Specific types of therapy from a qualified expert can be very effective. A consultation with your doctor would probably be the first step if these episodes are continuing, then a referral to a good therapist/psychologist if the doctor rules out any obvious physical causes. I don't believe there is any short-term physical damage from panic and anxiety, as unpleasant as they are (I've looked.) Best wishes to you.

I've been struggling with panic attacks and anxiety for about 8 years now.  It's a scary thing to go through, but eventually I taught myself how to get through them on my own.  I have this impending doom feeling that I'm going to die or just sort of "freak out" and lose my mind.  It's definately something that people don't understand unless they have been through it themselves.  Usually the feeling lasts only an hour or so.  But there have been times where I've needed to go back onto medication like Lexapro for 6-8 months until I gain that sense of wellbeing again.  I've been off medication for over a year now, and just recently have started feeling they anxiety again.  We just have to realize that this is a natural occurance that we CANNOT help!  Xanax has actually worked recently for me because you only take it when you need it.  Not everyday like other medications.  You just have to learn to tell yourself that YOU REALLY ARE OKAY when the attack comes on.  You ask yourself what your freaking out about, and when you realize that it really is NOTHING, you feel a little better.  :)