Deep Abdominal Breathing For Anxiety And Panic Attacks
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by: SergeTaylor
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Deep abdominal breathing done in a controlled fashion is one of the most useful techniques in helping anyone cope with panic attack. A normal stress response during times of severe stress, like that experienced by someone suffering with a panic attack, is a dramatic change in the breathing rate. The breath becomes high in the chest and is very rapid, just like someone trying to catch their breath after strenuous exercise.
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 vicious cycle of the panic attack has begun.
Through regular use of deep abdominal breathing the anxiety attack sufferer can begin to develop a powerful tool to help them cope with their anxiety attack. But this is something that needs to be practised regularly if it is to be used during the extreme anxiety and stress of a full-blown panic attack.
This is just like training regularly for some sporting competition. The more you practice before the actual event the more automatic the desired responses will be come game time.
Ideally if you suffer from panic attacks you will want to practise abdominal breathing during times when your stress levels and anxiety levels are almost non-existent. By practising in these less stressful times the body is given a chance to familiarise itself with this different breathing method. And once the body becomes familiar with this particular style of breathing it should then be practised during times of moderate anxiety and stress.
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.
While abdominal breathing can be of great benefit during a panic attack, the added bonus is that by regularly practising deep abdominal breathing the nervous system has a chance to relax to some degree helping it to become less likely to respond to stress and anxiety in the same way.
Practising controlled abdominal breathing is very easy. If you have not used this technique before, like any exercise start practising in a slow and easy fashion gradually increasing the length of time you practise this form of breathing.
Also keep in mind that this form of breathing is normal and natural. In other words this is how we are supposed to breathe. If you want proof look at how very young children breathe and notice that they belly breathe more often than not rather than breathing with their chests.
So rather than think of this as learning something new we are simply re-familiarizing ourselves with something we already know how to do.
About the Author
Would you like to discover how to practice deep abpracticeminal breathing for panic attacks and learn more about coping with anxiety and panic attacks and get your free handling your panic attacks report visit www.anxiety-cures.org
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