“Does the breathing method help panic attacks?”

Panic attacks are incredibly scary. Many people believing they are experiencing heart attacks go to the ER and are diagnosed as experiencing panic attacks. There are differences between genuine panic attacks and attacks of anxiety. Panic attacks do not have just one cause. Since they can be caused by a variety of factors there is no single treatment. Various relaxation techniques, including breathing techniques, are used to help individuals reduce anxiety. Genuine panic attacks feel life threatening. It would be a rare individual who had mastered a breathing technique sufficiently to stop or reduce the severity of a genuine panic attack. Treating panic attacks typically includes medication in the acute phase with behavioral interventions. It is prudent to receive thorough physical / medical examinations and behavioral assessment and treatment.

Absolutely! Breathing methods can help regulate our nervous system and can act as a distraction during a panic attack. It also helps us to feel more in control. I would recommend an app called Insight Timer, which has many breathing exercises. I hope this helps! Lindsay

Hello - there are many breathing methods that are successful in Interrupting panic! There are entire books dealing with these methods; one I recall is by James Nestor. There is also a nice biofeedback device called a Stress Eraser that trains you in the breathing rhythm that works best for you. It is a small, handheld thing, about the size of a cellphone - but not the cost, fortunately. If none of these does it for you, i suggest you find a practitioner of clinical hypnosis on the website of ASCH who can teach you a simple method of relaxing when feeling panicked. Good luck - you share this problem with uncountable numbers of others. Peace, Marian

Breathing techniques do help however unpacking the issues that trigger them would be a better option to prevent them from continuing. Seeking mental health support may be an option to help find some closure on what is causing them. Nicole L Rosser, PMHNP-BC Elocin Recovery and Therapy Services, LLC 14502 Greenview Dr. Laurel, MD 20708 443-860-2315 https://elocinrecoveryservices.com/

yes