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Anxiety -- Feel like I can't breathe properly

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Posted 11/12/2016 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
It's me, Mersey, posting again. Just wanted to clarify about my anxiety -- the main and worst part of it is the feeling that I can't get enough air. I've tried many different breathing techniques and still haven't found one that reliably calms me down. I've had this problem to a greater or lesser degree for over 20 years now, and it's just getting worse. I don't have asthma or COPD or anything else that I'm aware of that could be causing this. It's making my life hellish. Does anyone have any tried and true suggestions to calm and regulate breathing? Thank you,
Mersey
Posted 11/13/2016 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mersey,

Have you tried a guided meditation video that has a pacer to breathe to? You should be able to find one on youtube...or let me know, and I'll post one for you!

I used to have this issue as well. I found one breathing exercise that made all the difference for me, called 'The Divided Breath' It took some practice...but it was totally worth it.

You can find it by doing a Search here on the forum....because I have posted it many times!

Or let me know if you'd like me to pull it up and post it for you.:)

S.C.
Posted 11/13/2016 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
My sister has this exact anxiety symptom, Mersey! She's done a lot to figure out what is going on, and she and her doc are pretty certain it's anxiety. Staying away from the things that makes her anxious helps, she says. I know that's not always possible, but she says it helps her.

I hope you find relief soon!
Posted 11/13/2016 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty sure you are suffering from air hunger. Look it up and see if you are having the same symptoms. That is my main anxiety symptom and I have had it for years. But, it's become more controllable after reading about it and realizing that's what I have. It's actually quite common among many anxiety sufferers.
Posted 11/13/2016 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mersey
I have it on and off , it usually happens after something that has triggered anxiety with me. usually iif I have been unwell. I describe it as trying to suck through a straw with my finger over the bottom. And my breath doesn't satisfy me.
I do relaxation guided breathing, I have used things in the resource page and I get a. Variety off you tube.. I play around with a few until one clicks with me xx

Good luck it does pass , I usually notice that if I carry on as normal it passes xx
Posted 11/13/2016 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your responses. Yes, I'm sure I have what could be called "air hunger". I just don't know how to reliably make my breathing "normal". It's fine for part of each day, but when I get especially anxious, which happens a lot, I just feel like I can't breathe right. I tried the divided breath, but so far it's just very uncomfortable and frustrating :(
Mersey
Posted 11/14/2016 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
I hated it at first too!

...but I was desperate, so I kept practicing, and then it became my go to tool.

That said, not every technique work for everyone. ..so I encourage you to find your own favorite! :)

S.C.
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