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I'm scared of asthma.

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Posted 6/26/2014 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hey. I'm new to this and I was wondering if someone could help me out with this. I have been having this fear for a few months now and it's been bugging me everyday. I have a fear of breathing problems, specifically, asthma. It doesn't run in my family whatsoever, and I have been to the doctor several times about it. She says my lungs sound perfectly clear and that there is nothing that I should worry about. But I feel like I can't STOP worrying. I have the strange feeling that it's going to develop out of NOWHERE and that, next thing I know, I'm going to end up suffocating and dying. I know it sounds dumb but that's my biggest fear right now. I NEVER want to experience what asthma feels like. I'm even afraid to use an inhaler. Whenever I feel like my chest is tight or my throat feels small or I feel like I'm not getting enough air; that I have to take deeper breaths, I feel like something is seriously wrong. My parents and my doctor say that I'm just out of shape and that nothing is wrong with me. Please, help me? Thank you.
Posted 6/26/2014 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes no matter how many times a Doctor tells us we don't have something our brain can't quite accept that. So what you are feeling is a perfectly normal (although not pleasant) reaction to anxiety. The worst thing is anxiety can be self-sustaining. You're anxious about suffocating so your body reacts to that and you probably breathe in too much or hyperventilate without even realizing, and then that feeling makes you more anxious and off it goes.

Being out of shape doesn't help. Things are more likely to make you tire quicker, and thus feel out of breath and start worrying. If you are out of shape, start small. I'm horribly out of shape and I have a chronic illness as well as a lot of stress right now, and oddly enough if I can tell myself to get up and walk I actually feel better.

Try to relax and think rationally. Your Doctor says you are fine. Our minds are extremely powerful and can cause us to feel like we have just about anything. I'm guilty of this, as are a lot of people here. But I've been tested for my fears and I'm fine too.
Posted 6/27/2014 6:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi W.N. and welcome.

Great advice by Ishiman! It is true that anxiety can cause us to feel all sorts of symptoms...breathing issues being a common one...and that it is easy to get caught up in the anxiety=symptoms=more anxiety cycle.

One thing that you can try to feel relief is some self-help coping skills.

Practicing these daily should help your anxiety to lessen overall, and hopefully relieve your symptoms and fear.

Here are some to check out from our Resources. Find other helpful suggestion there as well...it is on the main page, 1st thread.

Self Help sites with breathing/relaxation exercises instructions

Panic attack relief exercises:

 

http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/73076/34334/breathing-lessons/

http://www.healthyplace.com/

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I

 

Post with us anytime for anxiety support.:)

Scaredy Cat

Posted 7/22/2014 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice Ishiman :)

Post Edited (Whatsername27) : 7/26/2014 5:18:41 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/23/2014 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
I would like you to look into Buteyko breathing methods for asthma. I got into Buteyko breathing to help anxiety in which it did, but it is supposed to do wonders for asthma. The book I recommend is by the same guy whose methods I used to treat anxiety. His name is Patrick McKeown and he was certified by Buteyko himself. On his website he has videos demonstrating some of the techniques for treating asthma. The asthma books are : Asthma Free Naturally, and Close Your Mouth. I used Anxiety Free because I was hyperventilating, not asthma. His books you can buy here or Amazon: http://patrickmckeown.net/books.php
Here are free videos demonstrating the methods but you really have to read the book: http://patrickmckeown.net/videos.php

I do not get paid or any kick backs for this. Just want to spread the word of the power of correct breathing and the importance of not blowing out too much CO2.
Posted 7/26/2014 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I will look into the breathing methods. I really hope that helps :) Thanks
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