Whenever I get the slightest stress I stop breathing correctly, which triggers a full blown panic. This happens subconsciously and my brain stops working rationally so I am incapable of remembering to do a breathing technique.

Is there anything I can do to prevent it happening in the first place and learn to breathe better automatically? I find it hardest to breathe properly when I’m sitting upright or standing, lying down is easiest and I’ll often go to lie down to recover. My core muscles become really tense.