Hello Flamingo Pink,

Moving in with your partner and starting a new job are two very big changes to have happened in a short space of time and have probably caused you to become more stressed particularly as your job is not suiting you very well.  Feeling out of control is the root cause of your panic attacks, or anyone else’s for that matter.  Physiologically, you are not maintaining the correct balance between carbon dioxide and oxygen in your body.  You are releasing too much oxygen and retaining too much carbon dioxide which is why panic attack sufferers are advised to breathe in and out of a paper bag until they stabilize.  Another method is to cup your hands over your nose until you stabilize.  Being mindful of your breathing is a great place to begin.  A simple way is to sit quietly with some relaxation music playing and watch your breath as it rises and falls, taking the breath in through your nostrils and down into your lungs and then out again.  The aim is not to alter your breathing but just to observe it.  You might find it changes of its own accord after a few minutes.

Exercise routines such as tai chi and yoga help you become aware of your breath and your body and are very beneficial for lots of reasons and usually include a relaxation period at the end of a session.

Can you remember what was happening in your life when you had your first panic attack?

Peggy