Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi guys I have recently been diagnosed with anxiety and I am on medication so a lot of the physical symptoms have now softened however I am so onsessed with my breathing to the point of not being able to breath.. does anyone have any adivce on how to deal with it? It's driving me crazy. Thanks
0 likes, 7 replies
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dmott12985 Nab183
Posted
My anxiety often makes me short of breathe, when this happens I HAVE to find something to do to get my mind off of it ( I've been to the ER many times bc of this and I know there's nothing physically wrong with me )
Anything that keeps me busy helps bc I'm not thinking about constantly.. Sometimes I read, go for a walk, or listen to music with my headphones
I hope you can find something that helps.. Feeling like you can't breathe is NOT a fun place to be !
Nab183 dmott12985
Posted
Thanks for your help, it's horrible and feels like no one is willing to help - I ride it out and it does go eventually but I feel awful at times! A little more understanding on why I feel like I can't breath might help
hope you don't feel too bad!
KPips dmott12985
Posted
I feel your pain. I developed anxiety last year and my first symptom was the feeling I coulnd't breathe. Unfortuantly it happened when I was driving and I almost crashed. However, I have had over a year to try and find ways of dealing with it (it comes and goes), and I will tell you my tried and tested methods lol..
1. If I felt I couldn't breathe, I used to sing (or talk to myself). It let me know that my throat wasn't suddenly closing up.
2. I used to sip water. That was also my way of telling myself that my throat was still open
3. I pursed my lips and took and deep breath in for 5 seconds, and then exhaled it out (through pursed lips) for 7 seconds .This would regulate my breathing.
4. I got excited! The feeling of panic when you "can't breathe" is overwhelming and sends you into a horrible panic attack. Panic and excitement are similar states, and instead of panickin I started jumping about singing and dancing and letting the wave of adreneline wash over me. It passes lot quicker, as you aren't trying to fight it - you are essentially embracing it.
Hope I have helped you x
anxietysite123 Nab183
Posted
On days that I'm super anxious I'll feel like I'm not getting enough air and that I'm short of breath. Other times I actually convince myself I forgot how to breath.. Yeah it gets bad lol.
Its totally normal. You're not going to die, and unless your getting dizzy, just try to ignore it. If you do get dizzy though, it's because you're hyperventilating. Do you do belly breathing? Just lay in a calm area and just breathe in slowly for around 5 to 10 seconds, longer the better.. Hold for 2 seconds and then slowly let it out. Make sure you see your stomach going up and down when you breath, otherwise it isn't the right way.
anxietysite123
Posted
Oh and dont make the mistake of taking a random deep breath in like I do.. You think you're helping yourself, but you actually are making it worse.. Not sure why, but I told my doctor sometimes I feel short of breath and she said to not do that, just to do the belly breathing instead
Nab183 anxietysite123
Posted
That's good to know, I have also noticed that I have developed a 'fake cough' it's become a habit and feel to cough and clear my airways but nothing ever comes up of course it's just a dry useless no need cough which probably doesn't help as I take deep breaths when I do it.. thanks for your help
ambria87 Nab183
Posted