PART 1 – THINKING PANIC ATTACKS

By William (for wheezingaway.com)

(A person without good breathing is a person with a life of constant caution’,

So, let us do what we can, to learn what we can, to improve what we can. – William)

          Living with a chronic illness means living with constant awareness.

          Whether it is COPD, asthma fatigue, or a heart condition, the learning never stops.

          I have always believed that those of us walking this road must stay curious, stay informed, and stay willing to grow.

          That mindset is what fuels my writing for ‘wheezingaway.com’ and the community we are/have built together.

          Here we are beginning a four-part series called “Thinking Panic Attacks.”

          If you live with a chronic illness, you most likely will know exactly why this topic matters.

          For me, there have been moments when my COPD or severe asthma has found a trigger and suddenly I would find myself short of breath.

          It did not matter whether the episode is mild or intense – the moment it hits, panic can rise fast within a bodies system.

          The shortness of breath is frightening enough, but the sensation that comes with it – the tightness, the dizziness, the fear of losing control – can make the panic within feel overwhelming.

          Oh, we then add in the embarrassment of having symptoms around others, and the mind can and may just spiral quickly.

          And let us be very clear: PANIC ATTACKS ARE REAL!!

ALL IN YOUR HEAD!

          Some people, even those within your world circle, will dismiss those ‘panic attacks’ as “all in your head”, but anyone who has experienced one knows – they can be as terrifying as anything you have ever faced.

3 TYPES OF PANIC ATTACKS

          Through my reading and research, I have found that most descriptions of panic attacks fall into three main categories:

          …… Breath-Relate Discomfort

          …… Uncomfortable Bodily Sensations

          …… Catastrophic Thoughts

          Over the next three reflections we will break down each category and explore how they show up in the lives of those living with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities.

REFLECTIONS HAS A QUESTION?

          When you start to feel panicky, what symptoms do you notice first?

          If you would like to share your thoughts or experiences dealing with a panic attack at any level, please contact us at wheezingaway@gmail.com.

          Please note to yourself – your insights may help others feel less along while helping us learn from on another!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME: smiles, prayers, blessings, and steady breathing – William.

If you or someone you know has ongoing breathing issues that disrupts daily life, please do not ignore them. Ask questions, Seek answers, Get it checked out.

NOTES: Sometimes we share what may seem like medical information, but we are only giving descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or Asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical advice.

(Copyright@2026, by CrossDove Writers through wheezingaway.com – no part of this write may be used or copied without written permission.)