Learn Ways to Treat Anxiety.

The breathlessness you get with COPD can make you more likely to have panic attacks. This may be because once you feel scared by being short of breath, you begin to feel anxiety at the first signs of breathlessness. This then makes things worse. It can become a vicious cycle.

It is important to stop this cycle as much as you can. And there are steps you can take to help yourself relax. Breathing exercises, listening to music, or practicing meditation can all work.

You can also try to manage anxiety by addressing the life events that trigger it. Events that take you out of your normal routines can add to your stress. So, try to plan ahead to lessen some of the worry. You might schedule vacations that take your breathing issues into account or visit a location ahead of time to make sure there are places that you can rest.