And What is the Difference Between Them?
Breathing Characteristics of a Panic Attack
Shortness of breath and hyperventilation are intimately connected.
You may also experience othersymptoms of a panic attackorpanic disorderduring this time.
Hinterhaus Productions / Getty Images
You may feel as if:
Hyperventilation.
Yes, anxiety can both cause and exacerbate shortness of breath.
Symptoms of anxiety can include feeling short of breath, air hungry, and a smothering feeling.
In turn, feeling short of breath can also increase your anxiety due to the uncomfortable and frightening symptoms.
You may have to try multiple treatment options or combinations to figure out which one is the best fit.
Medication
Medicationmay be effective for some individuals in treating panic attacks and panic disorder.
Psychotherapy may addresstriggersfor anxiety as well as the impact panic attacks have had on your personal life.
What Can You Do When You Feel Short of Breath?
Paulus MP.The breathing conundrum-interoceptive sensitivity and anxiety.Depress Anxiety.
2014;46:429-454. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.07.027
Kim Y-K.Panic disorder: Current research and management approaches.Psychiatry Investig.
2019;15:2743-2761. doi:10.2147/NDT.S201407
Bourne EJ.The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook.6th ed.
New Harbinger Publications; 2015.
Davis M, Eshelman ER, McKay M.The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook.6th ed.
New Harbinger Publications; 2019.
Seaward BL.Managing Stress: Principles and Strategies for Health and Wellbeing.7th ed.
Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2011.
