I suffer from hyperventilation. I then get dizzy, have palpitations, start to sweat and feel pressure on my head and ears. In addition, my jaws tense which makes eating difficult. What can I do about this?
Mrs Gerder
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
There is no simple recipe to get rid of hyperventilation. According to current insights, it is mainly regarded as an anxiety disorder and the solution must be sought in behavioral therapy, assertiveness training and possibly antidepressants – these also often help against anxiety.
There are also all kinds of tricks to counteract the hyperventilation itself, such as breathing in a plastic bag or through a garden hose, but I don’t think that’s the solution. If it is serious, I would request a consultation with the GGZ from the GP. If it is less severe, you may be able to try to find out for yourself why you are hyperventilating by paying attention to yourself. Again, there is no simple recipe to get rid of it.
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