THE QUESTION: Do breathing exercises help? Are some more helpful than others? Please share your experiences, good and bad. If you've had success with them, please share your techniques as well as why and how they've helped. If they haven't helped, let us know what you've tried.

THE RESPONSES:

John: "Breathing exercises are the only thing that saved me from dropping out of college. I used to get really worked up on the way to school and especially when I sat down in the classroom. Luckily, I found out that certain types of breathing excerises while having an attack can really calm yourself down. It works great for me, but to master this, practice is required!"

Anastasia: "I have tried some and they do help depending on the level of panic state I am in. Here is another idea-one that works for me...When I was 4 1/2 mos pregnant with my last child, I was hospitalized for severe panic, vomiting, dehydration and all. I was between a rock and a hard place and had to go back on Paxil but didn't want to take any other meds. Nights were hell-and I had severe attacks. One night I called the nurse on duty to help me out. She was Native Indian and very spiritual. She helped me by talking to me and telling me that saying a prayer helped some she knew with panic. I was doubtful-but hadn't much to loose. She kept repeating "You are going to be okay-God is on your side". In my mind, I kept repeating those words almost like a mantra and soon the attack eased and fell asleep. So after I had the baby and hormones fluctuating -the attacks started again- so I did the same-"It's gonna be ok-God is on my side" and it really helped. Could be association-could be something else-but focusing on a really positive short phrase could help others too. Of course I believe that letting go and letting the big guy take over also helped-but that is my belief. To each their own. "

Gary: "In my experience they do help. But like any excersise you must practice for it to be effective. And I don't practice on a daily basis. However, even with my irregular meditation (in which I focus on my breath) it has helped my deal with anxiety producing situations but not with panic. I think this only because I have not practiced sufficiently to make the response automatic. "

ITK: "I believe breathing exercises are VERY helpful. As a person who is not currently taking medication, breathing exercises are one of my primary defenses against my episodes of anxiety. I don't do anything real complicated -- just get quiet, close my eyes, and take anywhere from 1 to 5 slow deep breaths, focusing only on my breathing, until I feel my heart slowing down. It makes me feel good when I am able to get my anxiety under control through my breathing, because it helps me remember that I am in control of my body and I don't have to just 'give in' to this stuff!"

Bernie: "it has always been my viewpoint that one must utilize a number of therapies to help one's self and we learn all we can about what is available, recommended and of possible help. drugs must be viewed individually because they effect each of us differently and there is always a trade-off with any drug, ie, some side effect. BUT BREATHING CONCERNS THE AIR, AND UNLESS IT IS PRETTY POLLUTED, WHICH IT IS SOME PLACES, THERE CAN HARDLY BE A NEGATIVE IN DOING BREATHING EXERCISES. THESE ARE JUST ONE MORE THING WE DO IN A MULTIPLE OR HOLISTIC PROGRAM TO HELP OURSELVES. MANY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THEM, AND OUR TEACHING THEM CAN HELP THEM AND OURSELVES BECAUSE I FEEL OUR HELPING OTHERS IN ANOTHER THING WE CAN DO TO HELP OURSELVES. BREATHING CAN'T HURT AND BELIEVING IT HELPS CAN HAVE A GOOD SELF HYPNOTIC EFFECT IF NOTHING ELSE. JUST MY VIEW."

Ditto: "I tried breathing exercises several mos ago and got remarkable results in very short time but then I stopped and it all came back!!! I should have stuck with it the first time as I am now trying it again! I got the idea from a wonderful site called How To Treat Your Own Panic Disorder. I highly reccomend this site- it is full of fascinating info and is very reassuring and it really works!! I dont know how long I should have kept doing it- I guess longer than I did! LOL Site address is http://www.eadd.com/~berta/. Theory is that all panic/anxiety is caused by improper breathing! I know it sounds too simple and crazy but check it out! Good luck!"