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Constantly anxious of my breathing!

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Posted 9/20/2014 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
First time ive ever posted on a forum but feel like i could do with as much help as possible!
Im 21 years old and have been a generally anxious person all my life. But for some reason it always revolved around my breathing and obviously having panic attacks affects your breathing so therefore makes me panic more! My main thing i cant get out my head is that im going to have an asthma attack. Ive never had asthma before so as silly as it sounds that is what i deathly fear. Im always thinking about my breathing and if my chest feels tight or im not breathing properly for some reason. Im constantly anxious wherever i go and dont feel safe anywhere and i can never properly relax. Im always worried something is going to happen to me. Its really draining me and making me feel like im out of reality. Ive been through stages where im fine and ended up drinking and smoking alot but in turn that has increased my anxiety more and brought it to a head.
If there is someone who could relate id love to hear so i dont feel alone with this and have some form of reassurement
Lucy x
Posted 9/20/2014 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Lucy

Welcome! Thank you for your post. That's the great thing about this board is that we are among people experiencing the same thing we are going through. This makes coping with this disorder so much easier.

I am sorry to hear your experiencing anxiety. I obsess about my chest/ heart the way you obsess about your breathing. I am not sure how long you are in your journey but have you been checked by your doctor? If not, make an appointment so he can rule out asthma or any other respiratory illness. And here's the hard part.... BELIEVE HIM!

We always want to presume the worst and think there's got to be something that the doctor missed. Once you accept the fact the you have anxiety (and nothing else) then you have already won half the battle on your road to recovery.

Please know that you are not alone. You are truly displaying classic symptoms for someone who has anxiety or panic attacks. Go see your doctor, get educated on this disorder, check out the resource section on here (great coping exercises), and spend some time on this forum where you have full support and people who understand your troubles.

Have you considered seeing a therapist? This is something else to think about after you see your doctor.

Please keep us posted. You will get a lot of great advice from a lot of good people who genuinely care! God bless!
Posted 9/20/2014 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lucy,

I have the same thing you do. I am constantly focused on my breath. I've had this a couple times throughout the last 10 years. You will be okay! I know it's probably hard to believe right now though. It is such a scary symptom. It is probably anxiety, but you should still go to your doctor and get checked out. It'll put your mind at ease and possibly even stop your breathing problem:)

If it does end up being anxiety, there are so many things you can do to alleviate your symptoms. Breathing exercises, meditating, yoga, therapy and medication are just a few. You will be okay. You are not alone. Sooooo many people have this same condition. I'm glad you came to this forum. I would always read the posts here, but didn't sign up until recently. The support you will here is awesome:))
Posted 9/20/2014 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Lucy,

Welcome to our Famously Friendly Family Forum! ;)

You're definitely not alone. Despite what 'types' of anxiety we seem to suffer from, the notion of focusing on our breath seems to be universal among all of us.

Check out our Resources Page (at the top of page one) and you'll see bunches of info, suggestions, exercises, worksheets, ....all sorts of stuff! And they are all very helpful. It comes down to finding what works for you.

:)





M.
Posted 9/21/2014 8:17 AM (GMT 0)
Thankyou everyone for getting back to me, it really does help just knowing there is support and others who understand!
I should probably go into more detail as i was a bit vague, ive had this anxiety since i was about 13 and i did undergo therapy and it did work for a bit but no matter what anxiety always seems to creep up again and probably because i was so young i didnt really take in all the techniques i should have.
I also went to the doctors at this age to get my breathing tested and they said there was nothing wrong and i didnt have asthma. Ive been on medication to treat my anxiety (fluoxetine) and recently been to the doctors again and now been put on paeoxetine. I told him about my worries about having asthma and he didnt check me just told me i didnt have it so i didnt know what to think about that really! I do think now im older therapy could help me again, it really is the most horrible feeling in the world and how scary and life threatening the feel of panic attacks are!
But again thankyou everyone for your replies it really does mean a lot!
Lucy x
Posted 9/21/2014 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lucy and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your current anxiety and breathing concerns.:( I know how that feels, and it is not fun.

This is a fairly common symptom, and thankfully there are a lot of exercises to help you overcome the issue and feel your best.;)

Merrida mentioned the Resources, and here is the link. Take a look at the stress relieving exercises and coping skills. They work if practiced daily, to reduce anxiety and symptoms.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

I also have favorite breathing exercise not listed there, that I will be happy to share at your request...it helped me when nothing else did!

Re-vistiting the idea of therapy is also a good move to consider making. I personally went through two rounds specifically for panic issues, and a later traumatic event...and I can say that I took great things away from both experiences! There is always more opportunity to heal.:)

Inviting you to post with us anytime!

Scaredy Cat

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