Can Shortness of Breath Cause a Panic Attack?
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 by Lyle Richards Subscribe To Our Feed
It is common knowledge that a panic attack can cause shortness of breath. However, many people wonder whether shortness of breath can in turn cause a panic attack. Research has shown that when a person cannot control their breathing pattern, then levels of anxiety can increase. Therefore, when people perceive they cannot breath properly and are susceptible to panic attack then shortness of breath can cause a panic attack.
Shortness of Breath or Panic Attack: Which Comes First?
While you are in sleep, you may experience a shortness of breath due to several reasons such as asthma, allergies, heart attack, lung disease, obesity, panic attack and many more. However, when the reason for shortness of breath is something different than panic attack itself, the shortness of breath can still cause a panic attack with assuming a perceived danger. On the other hand, the panic attack can certainly cause a shortness of breath as an integral and unavoidable symptom of the condition in question. Hence, it implies both the conditions influence the other one. Probably, both are present simultaneously since you can not simply avoid experiencing panic attack when you are having shortness of breath and vice versa. So, there is no condition in which you can experience only one but not the other.
Take a Control of Yourself
When you encounter shortness of breath during your panic attack, you should find out a position or an appropriate posture in which your breathing muscles can function effectively. The panic attack can cause a severe shortness of breath, if you try lying down on the bed or somewhere else. Sit comfortably in a chair and rest your arm on a table or you may place your arm over the lap.
Breath slowly and take a long time to release, concentrating on breathing from your abdomen. Once you are in control of your breathing relax all the muscles that are not involved in the breathing processes. Do everything slowly and smoothly, being careful not force yourself to do anything. As you go through this process, think positively and release that any anxiety feelings will pass soon. Concentrate on delivering to yourself positive messages.
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