Posted by BarbaraCat on April 22, 2002, at 0:37:21
In reply to Re: What Happens To You During A Panic Attack? » IsoM, posted by camden on April 21, 2002, at 0:03:02
Panic attacks are horrible!! I can take the bleakest, blackest depressions, but a panic attack I cannot stand. Even while one part of me is saying 'Oh, come on, you've been though this many times before, you've never died yet' another part is screaming 'oh, but this time is different!!' It used to be, like Beardy, that I'd get them every night before sleep, turning off the lights, just thinking about one would bring one on. Even drinking water would cause me to hyperventilate and skid me into a panic. This was in the baaaaaad days. Klonopin has helped tremendously, but a big help when one hits is, believe it or not, breathing into a paper bag for about 10-12 breaths. Yes, it does work.
Some evidence has found that breathing disorders caused by anxiety, depression, asthma, anticipatory anxiety, what have you, disrupt the carbon monoxide balance in the blood and can bring on an attack. The tingly, pins and needles and heart pounding is pure and simple hyperventilation, the rest is created by fear. Breathing deeply (diaphramatic or yogic breathing) is NOT a good idea in the midst of one since it contributes more to the hyperventilation syndrome. The good old paper bag trick normalizes that balance. The hard part is remembering where you put the bag while in the middle of one, however.
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:89326
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020416/msgs/103772.html