Constantly panicked about breathing

Hi Lucy,

I am really sorry you are going through that. Have you thought about seeking out a counselor or take anything for the anxiety? (I don't know if propranolol is for anxiety - sorry if you're already taking something!)

I hope things improve for you.

Anxiety can be a really scary thing.

Thankyou both for your advice it really means a lot that people on here are trying to help others when I'm sure they've got their own problems!
I should have explained more before, I do take medication I take propranolol which is a beta-blocker for my anxiety/panic attacks and I also take citalopram for anxiety and depression also but is soon to be changed. I am currently seeing a therapist and she's great but I just don't feel like I'm getting anywhere at the moment. She advised be to get a test done for asthma as it might ease my mind if it was negative but as the doctor said it was not needed there is still that doubt in my mind. I have been trying relaxation techniques at the moment and they help its just this breathing worry I cannot get out of my head or rationalise! They said I had panic disorder but as I'm sure a lot of you know when having a panic attack and the fear and the actual feeling like you cannot breathe proper is really hard to talk yourself out from! Thanks again for your advice I shall look at these resources as well

A quick thing to remember is that our bodies want to survive. So if you're scary thought is that you will stop breathing, remember that 1. It's just a scary thought 2. You're body wants to survive regardless of our thoughts. Like, when you sleep, you still breath, you're body makes sure of it. And 3. people don't just stop breathing. Try holding your breath, you can only do it so long before your body takes over and forces you to breath.

Panicking about not breathing is a slippery slope because it's the panic that makes you breath irregularly, not in a way that can hurt you, just not calm and smooth relaxing way. So maybe, instead of worrying about not breathing, take a step back and work on not panicking. As soon as you feel the tension begin to rise, begin a breathing technique (there are tons out there). One that helps me is breathing in for 4 counts and breathing out for 4 counts, or as I'm breathing in say to myself "in breath" and while I exhale "out breath".

This does 2 things, a. it slows down the panic breathing and b. when you focus on your breath AND focus on counting (or saying in breath/out breath), you're actively distracting yourself away from panic thoughts.

I think we all need to start paying more attention to what we can actively do to manage panic and less about what our symptoms of panic are. Easier said then done, totally, but at least the idea is coming from a place of power and not defeat.