Breathing Exercises for Panic Attacks

People suffering from panic attacks will experience various symptoms, which are exhausting, dangerous and can even change their lifestyle. Breathing exercise is the most common first aid for people having a panic attack. The main goal of the exercise is to learn how to control the breathing process of the person. With this simple procedure they can better manage panic attacks.

The steps involved in these breathing exercises may seem difficult especially for the person suffering from the panic attack. But once he understands that the exercise is indeed helpful, he will be more likely to do the exercise during each panic attack episode. Breathing exercise are most often used by therapists in treatment of patients with anxiety and panic disorders because it is proven to prevent and stop the attacks.

Breathing from the diaphragm

Breathing is something people do unconsciously. The most natural way of breathing is from diaphragm and is how all babies breathe. We only begin to breathe unnaturally when we get older and our lives fill with fears and stress. Breathing from the diaphragm is important in managing a panic attack and once you get used to doing it, you will be breathing in this manner again without even knowing it.

To determine that you are breathing naturally from the diaphragm, place one hand over your chest and the other hand over your belly. While you breathe in and breathe out, you should feel your chest not moving and your belly must be moving up and down while you take in and let out the air. Breathing out should be like letting all the air out of your system, and the rate you breathe should be slow, steady, and even. You should take your time when re-learning this kind of breathing and should check that the belly is moving slowly and naturally.

While doing diaphragm breathing, if you discover that your chest is moving more than your belly, put some pressure on your chest to remind you that you are not doing it right. Breathing must be done naturally without any effort of forcing yourself to breath. You must also take into consideration that when you feel dizzy and light-headed you should stop and take a rest, and repeat the procedure when you can and when you are ready.

When experiencing a panic attack, a person may tend to breathe rapidly and hyperventilate, resulting in nausea and struggling to breathe. When having a panic attack you should just remember the proper way of breathing and if you are not doing it right, immediately breathe in and out the right way. When you get used to breathing from the diaphragm, you will have better control over your attacks.

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Ask Dr. K by Anthony Komaroff, M.D.: Panic attacks can be very unsettling. All of a sudden, you are filled with extreme fear or terror. You may be short of breath, have palpitations, chest pain, sweating or feel a smothering sensation. You probably fear that you are losing control. You might even think you are about to die.

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