3rd year ke exams mein panic attack aaya, box breathing try kiya, kya koi aur bhi hai yahan?

I literally had a panic attack in the middle of my 3rd year internal exams yesterday. My heart was racing so bad I couldn't even recognize my own handwriting. One of my classmates gave me a weird look, and I just wanted to disappear.

So my therapist (yes, I'm secretly going to one) told me to try this "box breathing" thing - inhale 4 seconds, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4. I've been doing it in my hostel room whenever I feel the overthinking spiral starting. It's not a magic cure, but it does stop me from completely losing it. Sometimes I do it under my blanket at night when my brain won't shut up about "what if I fail" or "what if my parents find out I'm seeing a therapist."

Speaking of parents - my mom saw me doing it and asked "kya ho raha hai tumhe? Natak band karo." I just said I'm fine. It's so exhausting pretending everything's okay when your own mind feels like a toxic roommate.

Has anyone here actually managed to use breathing exercises during an actual panic attack? Does it work for you or do you need something stronger? Please tell me I'm not the only one struggling with this.