Panic/anxiety attacks ....hi i am new to this but really needed to ask about there panic attacks .....I am on citalopram

[linzijay]

my heart feels funny I feel my breathing is limited I rush to go to the toilet feel faint scared and freezing cold....but once its over I am still conscious of my breathing is this the normal

[Hidden]

Hello & Welcome

Yes this is quite normal & how a panic attack feels , its really frightening as well

When you feel one coming on have you tried breathing your way through it , taking slow deep breaths in , holding for a couple of seconds & then slowly letting them back out , you could also use the old fashioned method & breath in & out of a paper bag , this can me used during & after a panic attack till you feel your breathing feels normal again

Keep coming on & talking , you will get lots of support & people really do understand on here how you feel

love

whywhy

xxx

[deb123]

anxiety does funny things with your breathing; even after a panic attack its hard to get it back to normal. try going online to find a relaxation tape and practise some deep breathing; it does helpxxxxxxxxx

[linzijay]

Yeah I defro need to do some kind of relaxation...I will look into it asap

[Hidden]

Hello and welcome, I'm also new to this site and it seems like a friendly place I have suffered from breathing problems for 4 years, its my main and scariest problem so I know how you are feeling....xx

[Hidden]

Hi, yes it is normal with a panic attack, it's hyperventilation, you might find you yawn a lot as well. The hyperventilation can cause the panic attack as well because a lot of your symptoms are caused by the breathing like feeling light headed, tingling etc.

As Whywhy says the deep breathing takes practice and with time I have found it works and calms me down a lot quicker. You really have to use tummy breathing and not chest/shallow breathing if you put one hand on your chest and one hand on your tummy you can feel the difference.

Take care and try to relax xxx

[formidible]

Panic attacks are awful. I feel like I am going to die when I have one, though thankfully I have not had one for several weeks now and hopefully will not return. I would second the breathing techniques outlined above. Also make sure you are resting in your comfy chair and take your mind off other things when you do it. I would also recommend trying meditation. I have started going to guided meditation sessions at my local Buddhist centre and also spending at least 10 mins a day doing meditation exercises at home. So far it has been really helpful. You should also of course tell your doctor about how you feel when you expereience an attack.