my girl friend has a bad habit of holding her breath when she is relaxed. she has panic disorder and ever since the first panic attack it always comes on at night time. once a night around the same time and sometimes while she is sleeping. she subconsciously holds her breath, then gasps for air and starts to have trouble breathing. is this the trigger for her panic attacks or is it something else. she was once told that holding her breath counting a few seconds so she isn't hyperventilating was a good way to ease her panic attack and calm her down. this is also a symptom of sleep apnea. theses symptoms after a little bit of taking deep breaths end of going away and she feels fine. she works herself into a scare or panic when this occurs. this is her boyfriend on her account by the way