Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Hi,
For the past several days I have felt like I can't breathe. Intellectually I know I am breathing as I'm not dead or passed out. But I keep getting trapped in a cycle in my head that I am not inhaling enough oxygen. What irritates me is that my head will start hurting a lot worse, somewhat making me think that perhaps I really am not getting enough air. My therapist has said this is from anxiety, that my body is in fight/flight and my shortness of breath is from that. I don't know how to break the cycle. My therapist told me to call my psychiatrist and I called her, but haven't heard back. I am definitely open to any advice or suggestions. I am really getting worn out from all of this.
~Megan~
For the past several days I have felt like I can't breathe. Intellectually I know I am breathing as I'm not dead or passed out. But I keep getting trapped in a cycle in my head that I am not inhaling enough oxygen. What irritates me is that my head will start hurting a lot worse, somewhat making me think that perhaps I really am not getting enough air. My therapist has said this is from anxiety, that my body is in fight/flight and my shortness of breath is from that. I don't know how to break the cycle. My therapist told me to call my psychiatrist and I called her, but haven't heard back. I am definitely open to any advice or suggestions. I am really getting worn out from all of this.
~Megan~
This may sound silly, considering your problem, but have you tried some controlled breathing exercises? Sit comfortably, back straight, arms relaxed, and take long, slow inhalations through your nose - to the count of 8, being conscious of the air entering your body and filling your lungs. Then release slowly, through your mouth, also to an 8 count, feeling the air leave your chest. This is a cross between yoga breathing and some zen meditation breathing. I find it works for me frequently when I get into hyperventilation mode.
Wishing you great, good luck and much success!
xxxooo
i have been feeling like that as well for the past few days. its like something or someone is sitting on ur chest and is not letting u breath. it is a horrible feeling and i am sure it is from the anxiety attacks. but it a constricting feeling and i dont like it.
They are very similar to rskb's so I suggest you try them