Anxiety and Panic Attacks In Emphysema/ Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD)

The COPD-ANXIETY CONNECTION

"Most COPD patients do not particularly fear death….Instead, patients worry most about how they will die. They imagine themselves suffocating in anguish and delirium as they fail to receive enough oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide. This often panics them."

Dr. Tom Petty goes on to say, "In COPD-as in other illnesses---death is not the enemy. The true enemies are fear of abandonment, loneliness, and pain and the anxiety that accompanies such fear." 1

Dr. Tom Petty
(COPD Digest, spring 2005)

Anxiety and Panic Attacks in Emphysema/COPD

(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)*

Vijai Sharma, PhD

Foreword

Of all the issues related to living with COPD and other chronic lung diseases, there is probably none other as confusing - nor frightening - than anxiety and panic.

In his groundbreaking piece, Anxiety and Panic Attacks in Emphysema/Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD,) Dr. Vijai Sharma, psychologist, yoga expert, and a COPD patient himself, takes the mystery - and the stigma - out of panic and anxiety by facing them head on with clarity and simplicity.

With expert knowledge of the subject combined with understanding and compassion for the daily struggles of the person with COPD, he gives readers permission not only to accept these experiences, but more importantly provides the information needed to move on and take control of their breathing - and their lives.

Thanks, Dr. Sharma, for shining the light on a dark road, so people with pulmonary disease can find their way to a brighter day.

Jane Martin, BA, CRT

Author, Breathe Better, Live in Wellness: Winning Your Battle Over Shortness of Breath.

Founder and Director, Breathing Better Living Well

http://www.breathingbetterlivingwell.com/

Praise from a person with COPD
"Your article (or should I say, "your book?") "Anxiety and Panic Attacks in COPD" is very helpful. Earlier tonight I thought I was going to have a heart attack. My heart started racing, I started feeling faint and was sweating. But after I read your "Anxiety and Panic Attacks in COPD" I'm pretty sure it was just a panic attack opposed to heart problems, I'm going to check in to the doctors tomorrow to make sure everything is alright with me, but thanks. This article definitely put me at ease, I feel much better. If I can't breathe, it's only human to have feelings of panic and anxiety!
Thanks for the information!"
"David"

Table of Contents
Chapter 1-Introduction: Anxiety and Panic attacks in COPD
Chapter 2--When We Can't Breathe, Panic Is the Normal Reaction-But It Can Be Controlled and Modified by Mind and Correct Breathing
Chapter 3--Anxiety and Panic Problems in Medical Patients
Chapter 4--The Anatomy and Physiology of a Panic Attack
Chapter 5--Understanding Anxiety, Panic and Related Conditions
Chapter 6--Frequently Asked Questions about Panic Attacks
Chapter 7-The Work of Worry in Panic and Anxiety
Chapter 8--Calming the Breath, Mind and Body for Anxiety and Panic Control
Chapter 9--Correct Breathing
Chapter 10--Physical and Mental Relaxation
Chapter 11-Questions and Answers (Q & A)

Copyright 2008, Mind Publications 
Posted August 2008