Air hunger and anxiety

I've been dealing with this on a daily basis for the past few months. I can't take it anymore. I try not to think about it but I am constantly trying to take deep breaths. Can anxiety really do this to you? I've been to my reg doctor, cardiologist, had a physical and blood work Etc and all was normal. This can drive a person insane. Can anyone help? She prescribed me paxil but I haven't taken it. Meds are my very last resort. I'm thinking of seeing a therapist but I'm scared and what if I just don't feel comfortable around them ? I'm sure that is my anxiety talking right now. I also have a tight chest. I have been told that I have anxiety and I also think I may have a mild case of ocd. Can anyone tell me this will be alright? I've had a situation in my life recently adding more stress .. But it's something I can't avoid. Anyway all replies are appreciated :)

Post Edited (Leyash) : 11/26/2012 7:10:18 PM (GMT-7)

typing on my iPhone so forgive me. This is also my first post but deali g with this problem has been ever present for the past 22 yrs of my 30 yrs of life. Your post jumped out at me immediately. To me, it sounds like you are having anxiety. I too have OCD and I find that, obviously, have far more of the obsessive and not as much as the compulsive ( although I do have plenty of rituals). OCD runs in my immediate family as does the anxiety.

I have been to good and bad therapists. I have been told to just 'stop worrying' (HA!) given a stress ball, breathing exorcises, and meds. I have been off the meds for a few years (still an occasional Xanax for attacks) but I think you should give them a shot. Remember they take THrEE weeks to build up so give them at least 5 weeks to see how they work out for you. My family member has been on them for years and years and his life goes to hell when he gets off them. They work well for him.

Here's my question... What is it that is setting off or triggering this? Sometimes it's lots of little things with a big one thrown in. Sometimes it one big problem. And as it can be, sometimes it's just the way the wind blows. Here's the thing. For me, the 'boogeyman' as I've come to call it, is never completely gone but he can be managed.

Here are some things that have really helped me... When I listen and do them... :)
Yoga (not the zen zen stuff, but kick ur butt yoga) - exorcise makes u tired and sleeping is good.
Praying. If God were small enough for me to understand or advise, He wouldn't be big enough to handle my problems. Ask Him to take your worry bc you can't handle it.
Breathe through your nose slowly filling your belly up like a balloon. Hold it, on the exhale being your belly down towards the spine. (Only breathing exorcise that has ever worked for me)
Try to figure out what your triggers are and avoid them - for me this would be procrastinating. I would put something off but then Torture myself about it. Now, I try to get it done early and in smaller pieces that I can handle.

Just know that while this is an exhausting condition, it can be overcome. You are stronger than it. Know that you are not alone. Check out this short verse. Matthew 6:25-34
New International Version (NIV) it's helped me on MANY MANY long nights waiting for the sun to come up.

Hey jquinn- thank you for replying I really appreciate it and its nice to know that you're not alone. I think mine is the same as yours. It's always "there" so to speak but sometimes I pay no attention to it. It's always a bunch of little things for me . I think they just build up over time :( lately a "guy" situation has caused me more stress but like I said some things just can't be avoided. Thank you for the tips. They are very much appreciated. Do you do a specific yoga dvd? Lol oh and believe me I know how hard it is to follow your own advice. It's easy when you're an outsider looking in :)

Here's my go-to breathing exercise...I will post some book suggestions later (do you want workbook-type, informational only, books on general anxiety, or a specific type of anxiety?)

'The Divided Breath' allows you to feel in control of your breathing, because you consciously have to divide each breath into three parts...it forces you to make sure each breath happens this certain way, rather than just helplessly experiencing your breathing as feeling out of control. Here are the steps.

The Divided Breath:

Imagine your lungs as having 3 parts. The bottom third, the middle, and top third. On the inhale fill the bottom third first, then the middle and finally the third. Make sure that this is one continuous breath, but divided, with a slight pause in between each third. Hold the breath in for 3-5 seconds if possible. Exhale in reverse. First blow out the top third, then the middle, and finally the bottom third of your lungs until all air is expelled. (remember the pauses) Repeat several rounds for a toatal of about 10 minutes. Practicing this every day will not only give you control and structure to your breathing, it will strengthen and loosen the thoractic muscles, allowing better, more productive breathing, and relieving the chest tightness!

You will probably need to practice this several times a day for awhile until you can finish one round. I did and that is okay, it is hard to do at first, but keep trying, it will get easier and then begin to help.

Hope you find this useful!

S.C.

Hi Leyash, I had the exact same problem that you have; it’s called “Hyperventilation” or “Over Breathing”. In other words, you are hyperventilating as a consequence of your anxiety. In my case, I was given Ativan; which greatly reduced my symptoms.

Some of the following are symptoms of Hyperventilation. Bloating, burping, passing excess gas, pressure sensation in the abdomen, weakness, fainting, dizziness, confusion, agitation, feeling as if you can’t breathe, Numbness and tingling (usually in both arms or around the mouth)

oslooskar