Reference and Education Facts and Tips

Of all the symptoms that a panic attacks sufferer experiences during a panic attack difficulty in breathing would seem to be the one that causes the most distress. Breathing problems associated with anxiety and panic attacks can run the range from hyperventilation where the breathing becomes uncontrollably rapid and shallow, to an almost total constriction of breathing where breathing normally becomes impossible. Because these breathing difficulties are such a common part of panic attacks virtually all methods of dealing with panic attacks, or at least those that don’t resort to pharmaceutical drugs, have as part of their respective methods, controlled breathing techniques of one kind or another.

The most useful breathing technique that can be used in a panic attack situation is abdominal breathing. Most people in times of stress, and this would be particularly so in the case of someone experiencing severe anxiety or a panic attack, start to breathe in a very shallow fashion and high in the chest. It is almost as if they are rapidly panting and unable to catch their breath. This is exactly what happens when the body goes into a fight or flight response.

Unfortunately when the person experiencing the panic attack and the associated difficulties with their breathing begins to notice their breathing difficulties the level of panic increases making them feel even worse.

Our nervous system obviously recognizes that breathing is essential to our survival and sends feedback that how we are breathing is not adequate for our needs. When a panic attack sufferer becomes aware of this physical and mental feedback, they literally start to panic which further amplifies the feedback in the hope that it will be heard and the breathing adjusted accordingly.

The person is now in the grips the vicious cycle of the panic attack

The practice of deep controlled abdominal breathing will provide options the panic attack sufferer can use at the time of their attack. But a regular training program of controlled abdominal breathing must be undertaken if the ability to apply it during the extreme nervous system responses of a panic attack is desired.

If you think of this as training for a sporting event. With regular practice sessions when game time arrives many of the skills you need will be almost automatic and there for you when you need them.

In order to be able to utilise this deep abdominal breathing during the extreme conditions of an actual panic attack a reasonable amount of familiarity with the technique needs to be in place. The best way to learn how to do this style of breathing is to practice it during times of zero stress and tension. And once you feel comfortable with the mechanics of the method you can then start looking for opportunities to practice and apply it during periods of medium level stress and anxiety.

As you can see we are taking the breathing technique we have learned in a neutral environment and slowly increasing our ability to use it in the field. In a very short time with regular practice you’ll have access to this breathing technique and be able to use it to help you handle your panic attacks.

However the real benefit of regular deep abdominal breathing is how it changes your nervous system making it less prone to stress and anxiety and thus over time preventing panic attacks from occurring in the first place.

This way of breathing is very natural and easy. Like any form of exercise please make sure to start slowly and gradually allowing yourself enough time to get familiar with the technique before increasing the length of time of your abdominal breathing sessions.

Believe it or not abdominal deep breathing is the way we are supposed to breathe. It is out natural breathing style that we somehow forget to use. If you look at young kids they are all belly breathers, but as we age we tend to breath more in our chest.

So this isn’t learning some weird or abnormal breathing technique. It is re-learning how to do soimething that is completely natural although for the most part completely forgotten.