Sing - sing a Song

One of the major symptoms of panic is short, shallow breathing. As our fear ratchets up, labored breathing, a sense of being unable to catch one's breath, chest tightness or pain and tingling in the hands and feet are often the result of this hyperventilation. Dr. David Carbonell recommends singing aloud as a simple method of preventing and interrupting panic attacks.

Singing forces you to breathe more slowly and deeply, relaxing your chest muscles and maintaining the balance between the oxygen you inhale and the carbon dioxide you exhale. Although not a remedy for panic disorder, it can be an effective way to stave it off - while driving for example. Combined with other techniques, like diaphragmatic breathing, it's an additional coping technique to add to your arsenal.

As to what you should sing, Carbonell considers humor to be the best response - an amusing song will probably be more distracting than a serious one. (Try this to the tune of Camptown Races - "I'll go crazy, then I'll die.... doodah! doodah!") Any song that lifts your spirits - a hymn, children's song, the national anthem, even a jingle - will do the trick. (Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun....!) Try it!