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Probably the most distressing symptom that one will experience during a panic attack is the terrible feeling of being unable to breathe. Sometimes the chest become so tight that breathing feels almost impossible. Then there are the times where breathing becomes so rapid and shallow that it is bordering on hyperventilating. Because this is probably the most common and one of the most distressing symptoms of a panic attack, almost all non-drug methods of dealing with panic attacks utilise breathing exercises in one form or another.

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.

What further compounds this problem and what can ultimately lead to a full on panic attack response is that the person having the breathing difficulty begin to focus on their inability to take a deep breath.

Once our nervous system becomes aware of the breathing problem it gives us feedback that there is a problem and we need to do something about it. Unfortunately for the anxiety and panic attack sufferer they cannot do anything about it. In becoming aware of the problem and knowing they can’t correct it they simply create more anxiety and panic increasing the intensity of their panic attack.

The person is now in the grips the vicious cycle of the panic attack

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.

By practising regular deep abdominal breathing at non-stressful times it allows the body the chance to get used to the technique itself as it becomes conditioned to breathe differently. Once a certain familiarity has been gained with the technique it is very useful to begin using it during periods of moderate stress and anxiety.

This is a slow gradual progression from a safe and neutral situation and gradually increasing our skill with the technique so that we can ultimately apply it in extreme stress situations such as a panic attack.

However the real benefit of regular deep abdominal breathing is how it changes your nervous system making it less prone to stress and anxiety and thus over time preventing panic attacks from occurring in the first place.

The technique of controlled abdominal breathing is quite simple. If this is your first attempt at breathing in this way remember to start slowly, as you would with any exercise, and gradually increase the length of time of your breathing practice sessions

Believe it or not abdominal deep breathing is the way we are supposed to breathe. It is out natural breathing style that we somehow forget to use. If you look at young kids they are all belly breathers, but as we age we tend to breath more in our chest.

So this isn’t learning some weird or abnormal breathing technique. It is re-learning how to do soimething that is completely natural although for the most part completely forgotten.