Hi all, Many of us who have panic disorder are prone to poor breathing habits and air swallowing. You may have heard of the term dyspnea? This a medical term for a condition called air hunger. It is usually associated with severe physical illnesses like kidney failure and lung disorders. However, it is also associated with a condition called Aerophagia, which means chronic air swallowing. Many of us have a tendency to swallow air when we are anxious, and it can be an unconscious reaction so we dont notice it until our tummies are swollen and we are gasping for air. Thats when some of us hyperventilate and panic. Having a panic disorder means that we are more sensitive than normal to the flight or fight response, which is what everyone does in a situation where they are scared or anxious. Some of us are anxious ALL OF THE TIME, and therefore it is not a wonder we panic regularly when our anxiety overwhelms us. Now what amazed me the most was finding this article, because it would appear there is actually a medical name for this type of panic disorder - Hyperventilation syndrome. Our panic disorder and associated anxiety may well cause us to hyperventilate, but without doubt the Aerophagia is caused by our anxiety and also causes us to panic and hyperventilate. So it becomes a cycle - a disorder. Curing Aerophagia could help some of us relieve our symptoms, and if not, well Ive found it very helpful personally to at least know why it is I get this awful breathless feeling all the time. When we are relaxed, we are less prone to Aerophagia, and less likely to panic in response to it. Obviously we all get anxious for different reasons, and for a lot of us its serotonin deficency - ie we are biochemically depressed and our response is anxiety. But I know for certain that for me, this is what is my main trigger into panic. Anyway, I wont go on and on. Just read the article at the following link and let me know what you think. This is definitely what I get. Its panic disorder which makes this freak me out, and my anxiety which gives me the Aerophagia. Unsurprisingly, the main symptomatic treatments listed are xanax, paxil and relaxation. Sound familiar at all? First line trea