Hi,
When I have a panic attack or when I’m generally anxious, I notice that I am NOT hyperventilating but I instead make sure I am able to breathe deeply and using my stomach. But it still feels “unsatisfying”. It’s hard to explain in words, but it makes me anxious that I am not breathing “right” and that I would eventually begin to feel tired even though that hasn’t happened. Sometimes even noticing my breathing can trigger this experience.
I have checked my oxygen levels using an oximeter and it is always normal. I also had blood tests to rule out vitamin d, b12 deficiencies, thyroid problems and anaemia.
I think its likely anxiety related, but I find it odd that when most people with anxiety complain about chest tightness and hyperventilating, I find that I can take deep breaths but they feel odd and worrying.
Any advice? Is there something I should be physically concerned with?
As a fellow hypochondriac (one that is always anxious about one’s health), I find the best way to remove your mind from your body is to keep it busy. I’ve had my bouts of hyper awareness towards my body and the only way I could “escape” is by doing something else. I don’t think you are physically ill, so no need to worry there, but generally, you don’t have anything to be anxious about.
I think what might be happening is that you are over focusing on your breathing. Breathing can feel weird if you think about it too much. just let it happen naturally. Throughout the day every now and then I will just stop what I’m doing and take a few slow deep breath‘s. But if I concentrate too much on it it does feel weird.
there’s nothing to worry about. Anxiety will put negative thoughts in your head that are not based on fact or reality. You can relax. Have you ever tried one of those breathing exercises on YouTube? There are hundreds of them. Or even just listen to one of the meditations for anxiety. They really calm everything down for me . there was one in particular that’s good for panic attacks. Search for something on YouTube called stop panic attacks now. Then scroll down to one called don’t panic. It’s in Black bold letters . she guides you through the panic so that your breathing becomes regular and everything settles down! Take care
Thank you. Yes I practice belly breathing as taught by David Carbonell but couldn’t find the video you suggested.
Thanks, I agree with you that once I begin to think of something else, it feels so much normal. In fact I can do pretty rigorous exercise at home and it feels normal. So obviously taking a walk should not cause me to breathe any more abnormally.
I get the same thing, to me it kind of feels like my asthma is getting bad / I need to take my inhaler. I think one of the problems is once you notice it, you hyper fixate on your own breathing, which in turn makes your anxiety worse which then affects your breathing, it’s a hard thing to get out of! I know it’s really hard to convince yourself that you’re okay, when it feels like your body is telling you otherwise. If you’ve checked and your oxygen is fine, try to distract yourself from thinking about it; play a game, read a book, even scrolling through social media can work for me sometimes. 
Above all, just try to remember that you’re okay, you’re doing fine. I hope you find some relief from it x
You’re perfectly normal. I would suggest that you get regular check-ups even when you’re not sick. Maybe every six months or so. Just to keep yourself in check, too.
to find that video, I just typed into YouTube search … stop panic attacks now. The first video I came to says …how to stop a panic attack… If you count starting at that one down to the 14th one. You should see the words don’t panic in black letters. Thats The one. hope you find it!