Breathing OCD, Breathing Awareness

[MirzaF]

It has been less than a year and this past Sunday I became sick, stuffed nose and right then AGAIN, my breathing awareness kicked in.
I am on Celexa (Citalopram) 60mg and it helps a lot. What happends usually is that EVERY TIME I feel sick or can't breathe, that is exactly what I am ONLY thinking about, breath in and out. For the past 6 years I had it come and go, sometimes it would TOTALLY be unconscious process as it is and I am not aware for many months, but sometimes it comes out of the blue, CONSTANLY AWARE OF IT!

Is anybody else experiencing this ocd disorder. I don't know why the awareness of breath should frighten me. Normally we do NOT think about it, almost never, but if you obsess about it, tell me things that made wonders for you, share them PLEASE WITH ME!

Mirza

[beatles86]

Oh how I can relate.  I am 24, and I remember when I was 13 I thought about breathing and realized that if I think about it, it makes it hard to catch my breath.  I then did what we OCDers love to do and asked myself the famous "WHAT IF I can't stop thinking about this" question.  Well, needless to say, a new obsession was created.  Ever since then, I have times where I start thinking about it and then can't catch my breath.  The only time I can't catch my breath is when I think about it so it is completely psychological, but this is just one of the many things that people with OCD can get stuck on.  You are not alone.

[ocdengineer]

Interesting that you might be afraid of exactly what could help.  I have found that Mindfulness Meditation which is essentially relaxation and learning to pay attention to my breath is very helpful is reducing stress and anxiety.  It is not a cure-all, but it does seem to take a lof of the anxiety away and definitely helps with intrusive thoughts.  Maybe since you are already aware of your breath, you should look into Mindfulness Meditation...  It is also VERY common to become aware of ones breath.  In fact, if you really wanted to you could hold your breath, so you do have control over your breath.  It isn't quite as automatic as your heart beat.  You can learn to speed it up, slow it down, and do this all while focusing on your breath.

Hope you'll give it a shot and get back to us.

Later,
OE

[sunnysankey13]

I get this problem a lot. I think too much about the rythm of my breath and suddenly I feel like I can't breathe at all without thinking really hard about it. I tend to make it go away by distracting myself. As soon as my body is breathing on it's own again and my mind is free to wander, I feel much better. Try drawing or watching TV next time. It even could help if you focus really hard on trying to remember the lyrics to a song that you can't quite remember. Hope this helps!

[Habmommy]

Every once in a while I get this problem as well. I try thinking of songs or stuff.

[yellowrose]

It has been less than a year and this past Sunday I became sick, stuffed nose and right then AGAIN, my breathing awareness kicked in.
I am on Celexa (Citalopram) 60mg and it helps a lot. What happends usually is that EVERY TIME I feel sick or can't breathe, that is exactly what I am ONLY thinking about, breath in and out. For the past 6 years I had it come and go, sometimes it would TOTALLY be unconscious process as it is and I am not aware for many months, but sometimes it comes out of the blue, CONSTANLY AWARE OF IT!

Is anybody else experiencing this ocd disorder. I don't know why the awareness of breath should frighten me. Normally we do NOT think about it, almost never, but if you obsess about it, tell me things that made wonders for you, share them PLEASE WITH ME!

Mirza

Were you diagnosed with OCD ? did the doctor give you celexa for you breathing awareness or for depression. Unfortunately for me I get triggers that reminds me to consiouslly think about my breathing again. Its very frusterating for me cuz i cant understand why I do it. Ill subconsiencely think about my breathing for awhile.....then when i feel the wind outside it starts it up again. i dont know why. Maybe cuz we breath in air . and i make a connection. I hate myself for being this way. Im sure im the only one who has these triggers.