STRESS = STOP BREATHING

Hi SJ and welcome to the A/P forum.;)

I am sorry that you are going through this uncomfortable issue.  However, you should know that social anxiety is a commmon experience, and can be overcome.

What if any treatment have you sought thus far?

If you are new to seeking help, then I would suggest first talking with your doctor about your treatment options. Therapy is a very effective way to get past your uncomfortable feelings regarding new social situations.

I noticed in another post that you mentioned you are a truck driver by vocation. This job probably did not require a lot of interaction...and in fact most likely allowed you much time in solitude.

Therefore it will probably be necessary for you to 'practice' being around others and feeling allright in those situations. So don't be suprised if your treatment consists of some version of immersion therapy. (facing the thing that frightens you)

You will also be given the tools to handle your fears though...so the process, while difficult, is very doable...and makes the goal attainable.:)

Keep posting with us as well. We understand and are here to help and listen anytime!

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat

S.J.

Since your insurance is limited...and many people's is, we have some great free self-help Resources here on our main page. You'll find them in the first post.

You can check out the breathing and relaxation video links. They are actually really effective in lowering over all stress levels...and the breathing instructions may help you re-learn a natrual, deep breathing pattern.

Here is a link to a list of books that may be helpful:

http://www.amazon.com/Self-help-Social-Phobia-Anxiety-Disorder/lm/16TBH8GDMLM7D

Here is a link to a lot of resources for social anxiety help:

http://socialanxietydisorder.about.com/od/selfhelpforsad/tp/onlinetreatment.htm

There is actually a lot you can do with self-help.  These could prove to be all that you need to find relief...I also checked out just about everybook that I could find from my library, and took from each what seemed helpful to me...basically custom making a treatment plan for myself.:)

Give some of these things a try and see how you do.

S.C.

Try to breath our your anxiety and breath in calm if you can. Picture the anxiety as a color, perhaps black and exhale it out. Breath in a nice color, perhaps pink or blue. Don't forget to TRY to breath in deeply. I know you stop breathing when anxious and I'm so sorry about that. Just practice breathing out colors and in colors, get rid of that anxious feeling.


This totally works for me, it really helps calm and center me.

SJ

I totally understand I had and have the same problem and need to be mindful of it. I found that practicing deep breathing for a few days helped. I practiced all day for two days, it was exhausting on my kind and also made me really tired. I ended up retraining my body to stop shallow breathing and breathe from the diaprahm. I felt really dizzy from too much oxygen, you might too, but don't fret after 3 or 4 days likely your bodys oxygen saturation levels will normal out. I started seeing more.clearly and could concentrate better.

I hope you are feeling better soon!

I am now reading Dr David Burns The Feeling Good Handbook. It has a lot of practical tips on CBT and worksheets included to help reprogram the brain out of anxious thinking. It's been a great self help tool for me and I am making improvements in my mood and thinking in leaps and bounds.

Stay in touch!

SJ,

Hi this is Kitt. 

Have you ever noticed that when we think we hear a strange noise in the attic, we hold our breath so we can "hear" better? Ever been asked a difficult question that you have to answer immediately and notice that you're holding your breath while you think? I can think of a few other times I do this and I have no idea why. Come to think of it, maybe I am  the only one who does it......now that is  spooky, but my gut feeling is that almost everyone does this to some extent or another.

That you hold your breath is not bad, in and of itself, but the fact it is causing you to feel anxious is not good. When we hold our breath, we're throwing our oxygen saturation levels off and this can create feelings of anxiety, even panic. Just as hyperventalating (taking short and shallow breaths) will throw our carbon dioxide levels out of whack and make us feel lightheaded and "weird," holding your breath no doubt causes some of those same feelings.

Perhaps as was suggested, just become very aware of your breathing, but not obsessed, and when you notice you're holding your breath, let it out and take a few really deep  "cleansing" breaths. I think if you are vigilant about this and practice, you will be able to  overcome this "habit."

There are a great many books out there on breathing since we apparently all do it wrong - lol. Keep track, if you can, of what happened, what you were thinking or feeling, just before you held your breath. That could possibly give you a clue as to what is causing you to do this. Personally I think it's just a nervous habit you've gotten yourself into and have held onto for a very long time. With  work on your part, you'll be able to break this pattern.

If it is really interfering with your life, then obviously see your doctor to rule out a physical cause. Since this is enough of a concern for you that you've written in the  Anxiety Forum for answers, my thoughts are that this "habit" could indeed be inducing panic for you.

Try some self-help things first and if you get no relief, speak with your doctor........but I think you can beat this on your own. I believe in you.

Remember you are never alone here in the forum.  We know where your coming from and what your going through.

Peace,

Kitt