Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

panic attack

I had a panic attack last week and hypervenilated and my hand were completely frozen I couldn't move them at all. Was this from lack of oxygen??
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Thanks!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I do not know all the answers, so I pulled the following off a web site for your info.  Just do a Google for hyperventilating and its all there.  It was interesting to see that hyperventilation is actual the lack of carbon dioxide in the blood, not the other way round.  I guess thats why they get you to breathe into a bag to take the carbon back in.  Hope this helps.

Assuming that a more serious, underlying cause of hyperventilation has been eliminated and your doctor has explained that you hyperventilate from anxiety, stress, or panic, there are steps you can take at home. You, your friends, and family can learn techniques to stop you from hyperventilating when it happens and to prevent future attacks.

If you start hyperventilating, the goal is to raise the carbon dioxide level in your blood, which will put an end to most of your symptoms. There are several ways to do this:

Reassurance from a friend or family member can help relax your breathing. Words like "you are doing fine," "you are not having a heart attack," and "you are not going to die" are very helpful. It is extremely important that the person helping you remain calm and deliver these messages with a soft, relaxed tone.
To increase your carbon dioxide, you need to take in less oxygen. To accomplish this, you can breathe through pursed lips (as if you are blowing out a candle) or you can cover your mouth and one nostril, breathing through the other nostril.

Over the long term, there are several important steps to follow to try to eliminate your tendency to overbreathe:

If anxiety or panic has been diagnosed, see a psychologist or psychiatrist to help you understand and treat your condition.
Learn breathing exercises that help you relax and breathe from your diaphragm and abdomen, rather than your chest wall.
Practice relaxation techniques regularly, such as progressive muscle relaxation or meditation.
Exercise regularly.
If these methods alone are not preventing your overbreathing, your doctor may recommend a beta blocker medication

Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community

Top Anxiety Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?