Hi all, new here. Wishing everyone comfort in their moments of anxiety. I'm not new to anxiety and panic, had it most of my life from probably 14 to present (30). It comes in waves though, and although I don't think anything is affecting me - my stress comes out in anxiety, specifically health anxiety, and even more specifically, relating to my heart and lungs. Recently I have had many bouts of shortness of breath, heavy chest, can't get that satisfying breath, and it's very uncomfortable. Often If i don't hit that satisfying breath within a few mins, I will then start to panic. Once the breath is hit (you know the one) it's like my anxiety washes away.....ahhhh......However, the suffocating feeling of what feels like having only 20% lung capacity can then return. Deep down, I know, like many of us, that I am fine. But i start to google - Asthma? COPD? etc and the cycle continues. Then a panic attack. I feel I am literally suffocating. Tonight for example it started because my wife was painting. The smell of paint, I found cloying, and it set my breathing off. As I write this I feel fairly ok. But I know it can re-emerge. Has anyone else has the all day, everyday smothering sensations of constantly sighing? yawing? Breathing is deep and never getting rid of the air hunger? It seems to come in waves. Im fine, I am sure, but my anxious brain assumes its a health condition. As you'll know, when anxious you can't seem to be rationale.
i had this shortly after having my son and it was the worst, for me it went on for about 3 months and i eventually had to just not think about how i was breathing in order to get over it, i did overcome it but it was mentally hard for me to ignore that, given it seemed like i was dealing with something serious but considering it hasn’t came back and my son is now 3.5 years old, just lets me know it was probably just all the anxiety i was dealing with that contributed to that being a symptom, it felt so real but it was definitely just anxiety
it’s really important to use proper breathing when we have anxiety. It is the key to managing your breathing and anxiety. There are some great short breathing meditations for anxiety on YouTube . I practice them daily and it really calms everything down in the moment. Once you learn, you can do it anywhere at any time to calm down. Take care!
I am having the same at the moment.
it is really terrifying and quite unsettling and I dont know what to suggest just to say you are not alone