Anxiety disorder is one of the most common reasons people seek psychological help. Yet many try to cope on their own. Why don't breathing exercises solve the root problem?
Psychologist Natalya Danilova explains that patients often experience rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and sudden anxiety without apparent reason. But this is not random; it's the body's reaction to years of accumulated internal tension.
"Anxiety disorder is not just a problem, but a signal. The body shows that tension levels are too high for the psyche to handle with its usual methods," Danilova explains.
Sometimes people can identify triggers like fatigue, chronic stress, or conflicts. But the real cause isn't always obvious. The psyche may hide the source of tension, leading individuals to fight external symptoms instead of the core issue.
"People learn to breathe correctly and distract themselves, but they don't understand why it happens. The attacks recur despite all efforts," the psychologist notes.
Basic self-regulation techniques (breathing exercises, distraction, grounding) help reduce attack severity but address symptoms, not causes. A common mistake is trying to suppress symptoms entirely. Fear of the next attack becomes an additional stressor.
A more effective approach is to view anxiety as a signal of overload and need for change. Consulting a specialist helps understand attack mechanisms, analyze current situations, past experiences, and individual stress responses.
"Self-help is not a substitute for therapy, but a support," Danilova emphasizes. "It works best as an additional measure, not the sole method." The goal is not to eliminate attacks but to change the factors causing them. Anxiety disorder never arises randomly.
