terrible breathing

Hi va287 and welcome! I am sorry that you are struggling with something that is supposed to be so effortless, but becomes so difficult when you have anxiety!

I don't usually have a conscious feeling of not being able to draw a good breath, but I sure do suffer the symptoms of hyperventilation, and I don't even realize that I'm not breathing properly until the symptoms start appearing!

I also don't usually 'feel' anxious or panicked either, but I think that our bodies often sense what our minds suppress...that is why anxiety can sneak up out of nowhere and suprise attack!

Have you had any therapy to treat your anxiety? Breathing problems are pretty common with a/p and a therapist can help you not only get the anxiety under control, but teach you some great breathing and relaxation exercises. If that is not possible, we have some links to instructive sites in our Anxiety Resource Guide ( 3rd post top of the main page)

Practicing these exercises everyday will reduce your overall stress levels. They can also increase your lung capacity, (aerobic exercise is great for these reasons as well!) ensuring easier breathing.

I hope that this gives you someplace to start. I'm sure that you will hear from other members as well:) Again, welcome and post anytime. This is a great place for information and support.

Take care,
Scardey Cat

VA287,

Welcome to HealingWell.  One of the most common symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks is shortness of breath. People all over the world who have panic attacks experience it.  I have experienced it and what helped me was learning to use breathing techniques.

A technique that is often known as Belly Breathing  is very simple to master. Feelings of anxiety inevitably give rise to very shallow and rapid breathing, which quickly upsets the balance of gasses in your blood, making you feel light-headed and short of breath. What you need to do to overcome this imbalance is to learn to breathe deeply and this can be easily achieved by using your diaphragm to pull in as much air as deeply into your lungs as possible.

Consciously use your tummy muscles to push your hand upward, whilst breathing in. This automatically causes your diaphragm to move in such a way that it pulls air deeper into your lungs as you breathe, replenishing the lack of oxygen in your blood and exchanging it for the carbon dioxide that is contributing to your feelings of shortness of breath and your growing feelings of anxiety.

If you practice using this particular technique a few times, you will soon be able to overcome your shortness of breath anxiety as soon as you feel it taking control. Armed with this knowledge, now you can be the one controlling it, not being the victim of it controlling you.

This is the breathing techniques that works best for me and I often utilize it while driving when I feel the anxiety coming on.  At the same time I keep telling myself I am OK.

If you feel your breathing issue needs further attention do seek out the help of another Dr.

I wish you peace and stick with us.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Hey va287,

I have been dealing with almost the exact same thing as you. My issues started in March as well while I was at college. I had gotten sick and they put me on antibiotics twice, prednisone once, and inhalers. It has been very frustrating for me because just like you I am dealing with it on a regular basis. I have been healthy my whole life too. I swam competitively for 12 years and never had any health issues. I started having anxiety at school and sought out help. Now that I am home for the summer I have not gone to counseling yet but I plan on it. I am also on prozac but have not been on it long enough yet to see its full effect. Patience has been a very difficult thing for me during this. I know it will get better for the both of us. Hope this has helped! Hang in there.

Thanks for the support! I have always been the one to help people with mental health issues, and I never thought I would be experiencing one. But, I have to just take it day by day. So glad to join!