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Biofeedback for Panic Disorder

By measuring physiological changes associated with anxiety and panic and feeding this information back via computer, biofeedback helps you

  • become aware of patterns that predispose you to panic attacks
  • develop the mind-body skills to break out of the negative spiral that leads to panic.

Breathing Training with Biofeedback

Research suggests people with Panic Disorder are predisposed to over-breathe. Hyperventilation (over-breathing) can be detected with a device called a capnometer. Biofeedback training to optimise breathing can both reduce vulnerability and give you skills to respond effectively to early signs of panic. Read more about breathing biofeedback.

Panic and Heart Rate Coherence

Another aspect of panic is that imbalance in the body's Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) leads to extreme "fight or flight" responses. Heart Rate Coherence biofeedback aims to train a healthier balance in the ANS. Read more about Heart Rate Coherence.

What's The Evidence?

Breathing Biofeedback for Panic - Stanford University Study

A Further Paper on Biofeedback for Panic - Stanford University

This research demonstrated that capnometry biofeedback training successfully reduced panic symptoms.

Hyperventilation and Panic Disorder

This study offers evidence of the link between Panic Disorder and hyperventilation.

Heartmath Institute Panic Disorder Study

This study demonstrates low Heart Rate Coherence in Panic Disorder patients and links this with Autonomic Nervous System imbalance.

About Panic Disorder

A panic attack is a sudden period of intense anxiety that might or might not have an obvious trigger. Most people experience physical symptoms such as a pounding heart, chest pain, difficulty breating, nausea, dizziness, numbness or tingling, or feelings of unreality.

An important characteristic is the spiralling nature of a panic attack. The first feelings lead to thoughts of losing control and catastrophe, and this leads to more anxiety, and so on.

Panic and Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation or over-breathing is a crucial aspect of this spiral. Anxiety tends to lead to over-breathing. Hypverventilation paradoxically starves the brain of oxygen - emotions run out of control, and it becomes difficult to focus and think clearly. The more you over-breathe, the worse the symptoms.

Panic Links

No More Panic : Support site for sufferers of Panic Disorder, phobias and more.

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