COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Anxiety
Deep in our brain is a region that constantly samples our blood to be sure that we are breathing well, and that we are breathing clean, "healthy" air. If it detects anything wrong with our breathing or the air around us, it can send out an alarm signal that something is wrong. This might feel like as sudden rush of anxiety, or even panic. This feeling is supposed to prod us to get up and get away from whatever dangerous situation has caused our breathing to set off our "suffocation alarm."
Increased Anxiety with COPD
With COPD, you regularly have trouble breathing and your suffocation alarm can become "hyperactive." You might feel anxious and edgy. Even little changes, like strong odors or being hurried, can fire off a full suffocation alarm signal. This is the reason that patients with COPD frequently complain of increased episodes of panic and anxiety. This response is common and does not mean that there is something wrong with you mentally or emotionally.
Reducing Anxiety
With help from your doctor, there are a number of things you can do to "reset" your suffocation alarm and your feelings of anxiety. These may include:
Breathing Retraining ***
Counseling
Medications
Treatment can include medication and psychotherapy either individual or family or both. Individual psychotherapy can provide support and encouragement as well as teach you how to set new goals and develop new coping strategies. Family therapy can provide education to family members about the illness and help the family to adjust well. Usually a combination of treatments is most effective.
*** Regarding Breathing Retraining, this relates to:-
COPD: Lifestyle Management, (posted previously), you can access the page again from the page link below, if you are unable find it on the DS copd and emphysema search.
This information comes from:
http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/emotional-management/anxiety/
To follow below - Continuation.............. Worry...............
Deep in our brain is a region that constantly samples our blood to be sure that we are breathing well, and that we are breathing clean, "healthy" air. If it detects anything wrong with our breathing or the air around us, it can send out an alarm signal that something is wrong. This might feel like as sudden rush of anxiety, or even panic. This feeling is supposed to prod us to get up and get away from whatever dangerous situation has caused our breathing to set off our "suffocation alarm."
Increased Anxiety with COPD
With COPD, you regularly have trouble breathing and your suffocation alarm can become "hyperactive." You might feel anxious and edgy. Even little changes, like strong odors or being hurried, can fire off a full suffocation alarm signal. This is the reason that patients with COPD frequently complain of increased episodes of panic and anxiety. This response is common and does not mean that there is something wrong with you mentally or emotionally.
Reducing Anxiety
With help from your doctor, there are a number of things you can do to "reset" your suffocation alarm and your feelings of anxiety. These may include:
Breathing Retraining ***
Counseling
Medications
Treatment can include medication and psychotherapy either individual or family or both. Individual psychotherapy can provide support and encouragement as well as teach you how to set new goals and develop new coping strategies. Family therapy can provide education to family members about the illness and help the family to adjust well. Usually a combination of treatments is most effective.
*** Regarding Breathing Retraining, this relates to:-
COPD: Lifestyle Management, (posted previously), you can access the page again from the page link below, if you are unable find it on the DS copd and emphysema search.
This information comes from:
http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/emotional-management/anxiety/
To follow below - Continuation.............. Worry...............
Below is a list of some of the ways that "too much worrying" can show up. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or the following feelings, talk to someone on your treatment team and you'll get help:
I have trouble getting to sleep because I'm worrying.
I can be sitting quietly and suddenly become short of breath.
I almost always have a nagging worry about when I'm going to have an episode of difficult breathing.
I seem to be getting more and more frightened to leave the house.
I'd rather stay home so I can avoid being exposed to the "dangers" out there, e.g. people's germs or excessive perfumes.
I'm frightened of getting onto elevators, airplanes, or bridges and will go out of my way to avoid them.
I walk around feeling as if something bad is going to happen.
Signs of Too Little Worry
It is also not uncommon for people with COPD who are depressed or feeling overwhelmed by the stress in their lives to want to "take a break" from being sick. At these times they may find themselves not paying enough attention to the illness, or on some level denying that they even have the health problem. They may notice some of the following:
I frequently overextend myself and pay for it with worse symptoms the next day or two.
I try to use as little medication as possible, and as little oxygen as possible, even when my doctor wants me to use more.
Sometimes I pretend I don't have COPD, even in situations when I know it might be important to let others know.
When I'm feeling "hassled" by my COPD, I drink more alcohol than I should because it lets me forget about the COPD.
An "Ideal" Level of Worry
There actually is an "ideal level of worry." At this ideal state, you understand that you have a chronic and challenging illness. You know there are things you can do that will help and hurt your experience with the illness. Over the long course of COPD you will likely go through periods of time when you worry "too much" and other times when perhaps you should give your illness more consideration. These fluctuations are absolutely normal. It is important to find the "just right" amount of worry that can help you keep your life and your illness more in balance.
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Hope this is help to people, at this time and in the future.
Have a wonderful easy breathing day all.
Peta x
Peta x
Hope you are feeling calm and relaxed today.
Below is a wonderful video that a wonderful person shared with me a while ago, its great to watch if you ever feel stressed or just need some time out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csnUV3Gz4Pk
For me it brings the best qualities of life into mind.
Wishing you and all a wonderful day in every way.
Enjoy
Peta x
I'm so glad this has been of help to you.
Wishing you and all a wonderful weekend.
Breathing easy and feeling good.
Peta x
for Sherry and any one else who may be interested.