a man with cannula has his hand on his stomach in order to help recover from Panic Breathing

How I Recover From Panic Breathing

By Jeffrey J Collings

April 30, 2021

Tips on how to recover from panic breathing include using a pulse oximeter, pursed-lip breathing, using a rescue inhaler, and more.

Poll

How often do you experience panic breathing?

All the time

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

I'm not sure

Interested in trying some breathing exercises? Click the button below to give it a go!

Breathing Exercises

Sign up for emails from COPD.net:

By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our privacy policy. We never sell or share your email address.

More on this topic

Video: Pursed Mouth Breathing image

Article

Video: Pursed Mouth Breathing

Story

COPD? How did I get that?

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

By mikern
May 6, 2021
<p>thx</p>
By mikern
May 5, 2021
<p>I do exactly as you describe, works for me. I have had anxiety attacks my entire life, long before my COPD. Just wasn’t sure if other ha@d@ the same reaction as I do. I am a gay man, I was reprimanded once in a forum on the COPD foundation site for saying I was gay and our support system is different. I was told this isn’t a sex sight, it was odd. So I left the support site and never went back. Saying your gay is not talking about sex, somebody has some guilt issues over there.</p>
1. By melaniem
  May 7, 2021
  <p><inline-mention username="mikern" user-id="2453664"/>, my goodness I am sorry to hear that you had that experience on a COPD site for saying you are gay, uugh! You are so welcome here and we are glad you are part of our community. Warmly, Melanie (team member)</p>
2. By mikern
  May 7, 2021
  <p><inline-mention username="melaniem" user-id="2453213"/> thank you so much. that experience was sad, it is the way the World is right now. it can only get better.</p>
By nbsp
May 5, 2021
<p>Jeff, I am now "following" you. Do I go to Facebook for that?</p>
1. By Jeffrey J Collings Moderator
  May 5, 2021
  <p><inline-mention username="nbsp" user-id="2416867"/> <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer nofollow'>COPD.net</a> has Facebook., Twitter accounts as well as the main website. If you go on your profile you can search the name of people you would like to follow and then be notified. So you can do whatever you like best to follow. Hope you have a wonderful day. <br/>Jeff (COPD.net Team)</p>
By nbsp
May 5, 2021
<p>This was excellent, Jeff. I liked hearing from another COPDer, and the video format made it even more relatable. And I'll remember seeing and hearing you tell me that I will get through it will, I'm sure, be comforting when the next panic comes. Now if I could figure out how to tell my husband nicely that excessive "coaching" doesn't necessarily help. He means well, but sometimes I need a moment of quiet and a hand to hold. And I may soon be ordering Depends.</p>
1. By hogdaddy
  May 8, 2021
  <p><inline-mention username="Jeffrey J Collings" user-id="2436114"/> Thank you so much for the informative instructions. Very kind of you to share such valuable information Jeff. I was diagnosed in 2015 and fortunately my doctor told me that my breathing is actually better than back then. May of 2021 I have been a non-smoker for 7 years. God bless you and I pray you have no more panic breathing episodes, I have experienced them too.</p>
2. By Jeffrey J Collings Moderator
  May 8, 2021
  <p><inline-mention username="hogdaddy" user-id="2428874"/> thats awesome you are doing better and congratulations on quitting smoking. That is the first big hurdle for most of us to get past. It's totally up to you, but what are you doing that is helping your improvement would you say? We always love to hear success stories that help others through their journey. Thank you for the kind words today and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.<br/>Jeff (COPD.net Team)</p>
By mikern
May 5, 2021
<p>So glad to hear I am not the only one that has that experience. I thought it was just me and my anxiety disorder, so beneficial Jeff, made my day.</p>
1. By Jeffrey J Collings Moderator
  May 5, 2021
  <p><inline-mention username="mikern" user-id="2453664"/> that's awesome to hear your spirits have been lifted. When it feels like we can't breathe, the body dumps adrenaline into our system of nervous energy to fight or flight. So for us it turns into an Anxiety Panic Attack! We are never going to be able to stop them 100%, but if we have a plan of what to do, that always made me feel better. Together we learn and get stronger. Please let us know how your doing and I know you will get through the next one much easier. <br/>Jeff (COPD.net Team)</p>
2. By Leon Lebowitz, BA, RRT Moderator
  May 6, 2021
  <p><inline-mention username="mikern" user-id="2453664"/><br/>Hi again, mikern, and thanks for chiming in here as well. I think you'll find that one is rarely, if ever, alone in our online community. It's always beneficial to speak with others about shared experiences. I feel it contributes 'big time' to a feeling and sense of community.<br> We value both your input and your feedback here.<br> Warm regards,<br> Leon (site moderator <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer nofollow'>COPD.net</a>)</p>

or create an account to comment.

Poll

Which topics are you most interested in learning about on COPD.net? Select all that apply.

COPD basics (like diagnosis, symptoms, risk factors, staging)

COPD developments (like awareness, research, statistics)

Traditional COPD treatment options (like medications, oxygen therapy, surgery, pulmonary rehab)

Alternative COPD treatment options (like supplements, acupuncture)

Managing overall health with COPD (like healthy habits, smoking cessation, exercise, mental health, sleep)

Personal experiences around life with COPD

Sign up for emails

By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our privacy policy. We never sell or share your email address.

Follow us

About Us
Contact Us
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Community Rules
Help Center
Ad Choices

© 2010–21 Health Union, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not designed to replace a physician’s independent judgment about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure for a given patient. Always consult your doctor about your medical conditions. COPD.net does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Use of the site is conditional upon your acceptance of our terms of use.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.