Breathing

[Quietowl]

I fear the way I breathe. Mostly in the car, because I can't hear myself as well. I feel like I force myself to breathe and end up holding my breathe and then it just gets very uncomfortable. I've been crying because I'm sick of trying so hard, just to be able to go to work or go to an appointment. I haven't gone to a friends house in over a year, I haven't really gone out to do things besides work and doctors appointments. I have supportive family, but they don't completely understand. I feel kind of like the black sheep, because everyone else is so outgoing and out there, and I'm shy and have all these issues going on. It's like a personal struggle my own thoughts. I see a therapist and I'm on medication (trying to get the dosage right) I know that there's steps that I have to take to push myself but I'm so afraid and exhausted. I guess I'm kind of wondering if anyone else out there struggles with their breathing. I know it's a common thing among anxiety sufferers, but I'd like to talk to someone else that has the same problem.

[abtcup]

I do the same thing...kinds. I exhale and tense up my stomach and hold my breath without really knowing I'm doing it. It sucks...actually it blows.

I try to focus on my breathing...but soon as I take my mind off it...I start doing it again. My whole body tenses up. I'm a fairly avid cyclist and when I'm on the bike...my breathing is normal. Soon as I hop off...I start clenching my stomach/jaws and no inhaling again.

The clenching of my stomach and jaws along with not inhaling leaves me with a lightheaded, dizzy feeling at times. Also do the shallow breathing bit too.

Only time my body seems to function normal is when I ride my bike.

[BeeDot]

I struggle with my breathing like crazy.  I constantly think I'm just going to stop breathing!  Intellectually, I know this can't happen, but it still freaks me out.  We all need to learn how to breathe correctly and not be so tense!  Unfortunately, I've not learned how to do this, but if you are able to, a therapist can help you with that as well as a voice class intended for actors and singers. 

I know how you feel being the black sheep of the family.  Dealing with what we have to deal with can be so isolating and patience sometimes wears thing even with those who love us the most.  Honestly, I'd go watch Silver Linings Playbook.  Seriously.  Besides the fact that I'm a HUGE Jennifer Lawerence/David O Russell fan, it's a great movie about people with mental issues who bring it all out in the open. 

[Quietowl]

Abtcup- It's so difficult. I'm glad that when you ride that it takes yoir mind off of it. Usually when I distract myself with a hobby it helps me too.

Beedot- it's like the one thing that's keeping me from living my life and I can't figure out how to stop the fear. Same as you, I've accepted th fact that I won't stop breathing but its still a tremendous fear. I've been wanting to watch that movie, now I'll definitely check it out. It's kind of a funny story is a good one too. Bit more on the humor side, but takes a good look into mental issues.

[BeeDot]

Yeah, I dont' think we will every feel comfortable with the fact that we cant breathe, but acceptance is one step closer!  I also try to remind myself that I've felt that way before and I was fine and there is no reason that this time will be any different.  Ha, I hope you like the movie!

[tinam7]

Focus on breathing is a big part of yoga. Perhaps something to look into and consider.

You can develop an awareness and rhythm and then practice it also during meditation. Count breaths in through the nose, slowly out through the mouth. Therapeutic breathing is breathing less than 10 breaths per minute.

[Quietowl]

I know the most obvious thing to do is practicing breathing but honestly it just makes me more anxious and more focused in my breathing and how I'm breathing. It kind of just makes me panic.

[tinam7]

One yoga teacher often says, "Enjoy your breath." It is a nice way to think of it: breathe in oxygen and exhale the waste. We can send healing oxygen to wherever we might need it.

It is interesting to know that some of us do only shallow breathing instead of deep breathing filling the lungs to capacity and exhaling fully. Perhaps you can try raising arms slowly breathing in and saying to yourself "relax" and then lowering them slowly saying to yourself, "be calm." Try this a few times, perhaps to soothing music. Maybe it can lead to actually enjoying your breath. We can't live without breath.

[justarobot]

this is my main struggle with anxiety. i tell myself over and over that i'm ok, and i breathe fine when i'm asleep, naturally, so why struggle now?

for me whenever it's on my mind, which is a lot of the time, unless i can distract myself, it's hard to think of anything else. it's okay telling yourself 'i can breathe' but that just means i think of it more. kinda funny really!

having seen my therapist today she told me it's important to replace these thoughts with something else, so when we manage to distract ourselves, reminisce of a day we were really happy, thus replacing the negative thinking.

for me, it's about celebrating small successes. if you have a morning where you're fine, think to yourself you kick-0104. or words to that effect. keeping busy helps a lot; all distractions, but they work.

[Quietowl]

this is my main struggle with anxiety. i tell myself over and over that i'm ok, and i breathe fine when i'm asleep, naturally, so why struggle now?

I tell myself the same exact thing! It's frustrating. My breathing when I sleep must be so calm.

for me whenever it's on my mind, which is a lot of the time, unless i can distract myself, it's hard to think of anything else. it's okay telling yourself 'i can breathe' but that just means i think of it more. kinda funny really!

So true! I've been distracting myself with crafts and projects around the house. It's definitely helped.

having seen my therapist today she told me it's important to replace these thoughts with something else, so when we manage to distract ourselves, reminisce of a day we were really happy, thus replacing the negative thinking.

I agree with replacing the thoughts with positive ones.

for me, it's about celebrating small successes. if you have a morning where you're fine, think to yourself you kick-0104. or words to that effect. keeping busy helps a lot; all distractions, but they work.

I feel like are totally on the same wavelength here lol. I've been writing down five things that have happened that are positive that are beyond me control ie a sunny day and five things that I did myself ie took a walk with my dog, or something even as simple as got up and got dressed. I feel like its helping me be more positive in general.

[justarobot]

the worst part for me at the minute is i felt i was doing well but then i had a blip and it's hard to pull round. i found myself developing little habits with my breathing, like i'd take a breath, hold it, almost wait to feel my heart beat and then exhale. things like this can only make it worse as it's obviously affecting our natural breathing. trying to get to the point now to resist that deep breath i feel i so desperately need, and any other  unnatural technique i find myself doing. yeah, positive thoughts all the way!

[Quietowl]

When I get in a bad way with my breathing I've realized that it just takes some time and I kind of get used to it.

It's so torturous how something that's supposed to be so natural can be such a weapon against us.

Sometimes I just watch the people around me and wonder how they can just not worry and all I do is worry and think about my breathing.

Like I mentioned earlier when I drive I feel like its the worst because i can't distract myself. So I have to have my fingers near my nose or mouth so I can physically feel the breath (ridiculous I know) I remember the days when I could drive without a care in the world.

Be positive until it makes ya sick