Panic Attacks and Hyperventilation

Medications
1

Once in the middle of an anxiety attack it is difficult to

notice whether you are hyperventilating.

I have noticed today that if I can regulate my breathing it makes the attack less

severe.

Is there anyone else the above applies to i.e. you hyperventilate when having a panic attack

and what you do.

Thanks

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2

I had a girlfriend that used to get attacks and she said the same thing.

3

Thank you for your reply.

Can anyone else clarify for the benefit of people on this forum who have panic attacks?

Thanks

4

Are prescribed propranolol, its a beta blocker and used for panic attacks.

5

I don’t always have hyperventilation with panic attacks. I have ocd too and it actually helps I start counting when I do hyperventilate. I count my step or things I can touch or colors I see or I even count my breaths I reached over a hundred once that was a bad episode.

6

I beat anxiety and panic attacks by therapy teaching me to “unplug the fear” associated with panic attacks and fight it thinking “so what if I have a panic attack I will get through this just like last time”…immediately try slow breathing in and out while you feel the panic attack. focus on something in your hand like a polished stone or crystal. focus your eyes on something or better close your eyes. it takes practice but I haven’t had an attack for almost eighteen years now and never fear it.

7

Good distraction technique

8

Yes, I hyperventilate during panic attacks. I’ve had an increase in panic attacks recently.

I try to use a grounding technique I learnt in meditation, where I focus on the soles of my feet on the ground. It helps a little to cope, but it doesn’t make my panic attacks any less frequent.

Wishing you luck in defeating yours.

9

There are two sides to panic attacks. You can use psychological/social techniques or medication. The one that is likely to have a more permanent effect is psychosocial techniques as research shows.

I am running out of options with regards to meds including antidepressants

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10

I’m sorry to hear that you’re running out of options with medication. I had another one today, it lasted an hour and a half. I’m much better equipped now adays in coping with them but it’s still unpleasant. Will be asking the GP for meds options next week.

11

Good luck with the meds and GP

1 Like