Breaths Quote by Jane Taylor Starwood
““She hit the button again, holding her breath this time until she heard it. Soft, sibilant, as insubstantial as the breaths that came before: Shannon. The voice whispered Shannon. The blood rushed out of her head. Her heart knocked hard in her chest. Her knees buckled and she grabbed the counter to keep from falling. She was starting to hyperventilate, had to calm it down before she was taken by a full-blown panic attack. Paper bag. Think. Think! Drawer below the silverware, next to the sink. Over the nose and mouth. Breathe slowly, slowly. Holding the bag against her face, Shane slid to the floor with her back against the cabinets, legs splayed, lungs heaving. It couldn’t be him. It couldn’t be Jordan. Jordan was dead.””
About This Quote
Source Short story excerpt: Unknown, contemporary fiction
A character battles panic, using breathing techniques to regain control while confronting grief and fear of loss.
In simple terms: She fights panic with breathing and focus.
Key Takeaway
Use breathing to calm panic attacks.
Themes
anxiety
grief
self‑control
Mood
tense
urgent
reflective
Type
narrative
dramatic
psychological
When to use this quote
- hospital
- emergency
- personal loss
- mental health crisis
Key Concepts
panic attack
breathing exercise
psychological coping
Questions to Reflect On
- What triggers your panic?
- How can you prepare for sudden anxiety?
A Different Perspective
Breathing may not stop underlying trauma.
