Can depression cause one to have panic attacks or hyperventilate?

Answer 1

Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand. The following steps will eliminate (or at least significantly reduce) your panic attacks and help with your depression:

1.Breathe properly - if you control your breathing, you control panic. As soon as you notice the signs of anxiety, check your breathing: breathe in slowly through your nose pushing your tummy out (to the count of 5 or so). Breathe out slowly and for a bit longer (to the count of 7 or so) through your mouth. Do not breathe rapidly or shallowly (in the chest area). This will soon restore the balance of oxygen and you will feel a lot better.

2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! CBT is proven to be the most effective thing for panic attacks, OCD and anxiety etc. It takes a bit of work, but it is super effective. (After 15 years of panic attacks, mine stopped completely). You can speak to your doctor about taking a course or you can take a course for free online at: www.livinglifetothefull.com

3. Try relaxation exercise tapes (progressive muscular relaxation). They really help if you practise often enough. You can get free downloads if you put "progressive muscle relaxation" into Google (e.g. lots of universities have them as free downloads)

With each step practise makes perfect. (i.e. practise the steps every day, not just when you are feeling bad). I hope you feel better soon. Best of luck!

Answer 2

No - we are talking about two different things here. They both have different biological origins, although Panic Disorder can cause a person to become depressed. For some very informative reading please go to National Anxiety Foundation website. It will give you much insight into panic attacks. Many researchers now believe that Panic Disorder is not a psychiatric disease at all; and there are several theories as to where in the CNS this arises.

Answer 3

No It's called depression for a reason...... it means your depressed, sad, etc. Panic attacks and hyperventilation are usually caused by Anxiety.

Answer 4

Yes depression can be a precursor to anxiety attacks or panic attacks basically the same thing. You should ask your doctor about anxiety about medication. I take both anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds and I feel much better. Things aren't perfect but I can and do functions much better I don't have as many anxiety attacks and when I do I can get better control over them. Believe me it is possible to get help.

Answer 5

I haven't heard of hyperventilation or panic attacks due to deppression, however, I know for a fact that these are definitely side effects of severe anxiety attacks. My sister used to have them all the time and they can also cause you to blackout or faint.

Answer 6

depression panic attacks hyperventilate

Answer 7

Depression and anxiety often occur together, and if anxiety is untreated, it may result in panic attacks, so see depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on pages 2, 6, and 8.

Answer 8

Yes. I have depression and I have had panic attacks sometimes.

The DSM-IV (authoritative book on mental disorders) acknowledges that panic attacks can be part of several disorders.

Answer 9

yes Greg definitely - fear is the first culprit. on some level fear is trying to take control of your thoughts, fighting it can be difficult so if you try and cannot then you will need a professional.. don't wait too long though because it can become all consuming and end up at a very dark place..i have a brother who suffers from agoraphobia, doesn't sound like much but this condition has kept him from attending anything and everything from parties to funerals for family and friends. so get on top of it now , please don't wait and see ................

this may seem out of left Field but eating lots of dark leafy greens can have a very good and lasting effect , especially if you boost the good chemicals from them with exercise daily, enough exercise to work up a good sweat.. .. .. worth a try for say 3 months , it's only 90 days or so but if there is improvement then that will be the way to go.

the brother i spoke of stays in his house 99% of the time. his sojorns into the great outdoors are solely to get food . you see food is his only comfort and so he weighs somewhere around 400 pounds. his condition has been going on for about 30 years now but is degenerating.. .. i love my brother but alas cannot do anything but sit and watch,,,,,,,and it hurts to watch...

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Answer 10

a lot of people find the Lucinda Bassett program to be helpful. it's expensive, but apparently it is available used for half price on ebay sometimes. you have to be sure to get the workbooks. My home mental health worker says that of her clients who worked the program, they were all able to get off benzos except for maybe taking a pill once a month. they previously were taking them every day. So she is a big believer in this program. Anxiety is not my primary problem, and so self-help books have been fine for me like the anxiety and phobia workbook by edmund bourne. I also do guided imageries, take hot baths, and have learned to breathe deeply and slowly when stressed.