Hello there. I think I know exactly what you are talking about. I get that same feeling, especially before trying to drift off to sleep. I feel as though I have to keep taking a deep breath, like I am not getting enough oxygen. I feel like someone is sitting on my chest area and I wont be able to breath. I had this happen just the other night, and what I notice is, when I do finally drift off to sleep( and I do toss and turn all night), when I wake up during the night,. I feel fine. No pressure or feelings of suffocating, so from experience I tend to not get all worked up about it now, because I KNOW it is from anxiety, and I notice that it tends to leave a lot quicker now, than it does if I let that feeling fester. One thing I have taught myself is there is a BIG difference between feeling like something is happening, and the reality that is actually IS happening. I may feel like I cant breath, but obviously I am breathing or I would be passed out or worse. I dont get this feeling all the time, but when I do, I usually reassure myself that I KNOW it is anxiety, and I like to do something that will distract me from the feeling. I have a tv in my bedroom and a cd player, so I tend to put the tv on( usually to ESPN because I LOVE sports), or turn the radio on and listen to my favorite country station, or put my favorite cd in my player and concentrate on the lyrics. And I do notice when I do that...get my mind distracted( on something that interests me) for even just a few moments, that the breathing thing goes away and I am able to go to sleep. Maybe you could try something that I have mentioned and see if it works for you( what would it hurt to try) :) .
I do tend to notice that my anxiety/panic runs in cycles as well. I will have a particular symptom for months or weeks, and it will just vanish and then another one comes along to take its place. This breathing feeling I will have for a week or more and then it will leave for MONTHS. It is very strange and confusing how symptoms will come along...get us all worked up and stressed out about them, and then just leave for who knows how long. I dont know why it happens that way, but it definantly does for me!
I hope something that I have said helps.
God bless and take care.
In His Grip,
Dawn
verybusy said...
I haven't been on for a while- I've actually felt rather well for the last month. But the last couple of days I've been feeling like all my anxiety related physical issues are returning. Does anxiety run in cycles? Something new has been troubling me the last few days. When ever I am breathing esp. when I lay down to attempt sleep, I feel like I am having to consciously take a breath or else I am not going to breathe in my sleep. I know to say this sounds ridiculous ,but I seriously feel like I am suffocating. This in turn is starting more anxiety from a lack of sleep. Does anyone have any suggestions? Please don't tell me to just relax because I am really sruggling right now.