Anxiety and Panic Attacks In Emphysema ... - Mind Publications

A Breathing Disorder Such as COPD Can Resemble a Lot
Like Panic Disorder
The two major symptoms found in almost all panic attacks are heart palpitation
(heart goes "thump, thump") and dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Shortness of breath, painful breathing, can set off a false suffocation alarm. In
some cases, even a moderate change in heartbeat and breathing can trigger the alarm.
After all, shortness of breath or any type of breathing discomfort raises a possibility in
our minds that we may not be able to breathe at all! During a panic attack, one might
rush to a window and throw it open in an attempt to fill their lungs with air. We all want
to breathe. We all can panic if we are unable to breathe.
Severe and continued breathlessness can cause smothering sensations. Panic
disorder is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in COPD. Note that not all
COPD patients have panic attacks and not all panic attack patients have heart or lung
problems. People who are highly anxious or tense can also have changes in their heart
rate and breathing. Sometimes the suffocation alarm may be falsely activated by even
moderate changes in the breathing and heart rate. Patient education regarding anxiety
and panic attacks, breathing training and medication can provide significant relief.
It helps to stay calm and in control even when symptoms are severe. There are
helpful techniques, and you can learn them in order to calm down and exercise
reasonable control. More to come on our biological emergency alarm system later!
Write down how you can tell when it is your anxiety or panic attack and when it
is a symptom caused by your medical condition:
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