Im sorry that youre having a hard time with anxiety. I had the EXACT same thing. I was focused on my breathing and felt like I couldnt breath which triggered panic attacks. Then it became an obsession in which I felt like I had to manually breath or feared that my body will forget and ill suffocate. But listen it lasted a few months and went away. What you need to do is let go your need for control. Remember:
1. Your body has been breathing fine and keeping you alive for the past 26 years. Your body is an amazing machine and does not need your aid or attention in micromanaging.
2. What is the worst that could happen? You faint. If you read about fainting it is your body shutting YOU Amet down and taking control. Again confirms that the body is equipped to deal with all scenarios.
3. Remind yourself that you are experiencing a symptom of anxiety. The purpose of rapid breathing is to prepare you for the flight or fight response.
4. Just like you set your alarm expecting to wake up the next, have the same attitude with your breathing. It knows what it is doing.
Yes you are definitely not alone. You are on the road to recovery. It's okay. Panic attacks will still happen but you'll notice in time that they become (a) shorter in duration (b) more spaced a part. If it helps at all today I had a full blown panic attack this morning lol. For me, if ppl were able to see panic attacks and they were not so invisible, I wouldnt fear them as much. But because it is in the walls of your mind, they are like ghosts that haunt you.
Oh I was going to share an insight my therapist said though it may or may not apply. She said anxiety manifests itself when there is a loss of control in your life. Though ironically we feel like we're losing control, anxiety is always about having control. In your case it is your breathing. In my case it is not being able to control panic attacks. When she said this it made sense. I was unemployed with a huge student debt and couldnt find a job in my field, I had stress at work etc. So the first thing I did is I tried to bring some order in my life. I accepted a part time job. I quit my other job. I have a fixed schedule. Not sure if that was useless or useful.
Keep us posted with your progress or if you need to vent
Hey Amet! I have those days. Some days im like wow, I can conquer this and I feel great but then boom I get a panic attack and then everything ie my attitude changes. Ups and downs are part of learning and life. Just like an olympian who is training, there will be days that performance will be weaker/stronger than other days. Anxiety is brain training. You are training to become a an athlete of the mind and you will have great days and not so great days. But never lose sight of your goal which is to conquer this. But I know it's not easy in the mids t of an attack. I went on another trip this weekend to somewhere far north alone to meet my aunt and cousins there. I had such horrible panic attacks when everyone was sleeping. The longest night of my life. At 5am I was going to leave without telling anyone because I was trembling, afraid, had racing thoughts, my heart was pounding, felt like I wasnt there and disoriented. If you asked me at that time do I feel confident about overcoming anxiety I would first run off (because I cant sit still )and probably mumble no I cant handle this. So my point is when you dont feel confident about overcoming anxiety a. It's part of the territory of learning and b. it may also mean that youre still in the eye of the tornado of panic and nervous. In that situation, dont listen to it because it is not YOU, it is your thoughts about anxiety. If you identify with your thoughts, then these lies become truths. Just remind yourself - it's okay that I feel scared, uncertain, im still nervous and Ill let these feelings pass and the thoughts they produce. I hope I make sense.
Does your panic attacks get triggered by thoughts or certain situations? Is this your first time experiencing panic or have you experienced it before? I found doing exposure extremely helpful but probably the most difficult since every cell in your body wants to run, run, run away lol.
Nooooooo. Let me be your voice. You will overcome this. Here is the evidence (im repeating myself sorry):
1. Youve been breathing normally for the past 26 years without your awareness. This sudden preoccupation will NOT be permanent;
2. When you sleep your body breaths voluntarily and without your focus. You wake up every morning alive;
3. You were not born this way;
4. No one has ever died from this; and
5. Ive had this and overcomed it (external proof).
Evidence that this will be permanent:
1. You feel like it is (feelings are not evidence)
2. I cant think of anything else.
I know it's difficult to be rational when youre panicking. I know because it is the same for me. I was warming dinner then I panicked. Then I said the same - im like when the eff will this go away and I feel hopeless. If you notice that anxiety behaves very predictably because I get the same thoughts. Dont believe it. One day youll look back at this and it will only be a faint memory. This experience will only make you stronger. I totally wish I could go into your mind, do a brain makeover and return to you a brand new mind. I wish it was that easy.
Does he or she specialize in cbt ? Dont worry. The first person sucked. I knew more about anxiety than she did. Everytime I asked a question that was difficult, shes like lets park it and never come back to it. Lol. Anyway the one that I am seeing is very helpful.
It’s been a while since you were active on this site. Please extend your session below
You have been logged out due to inactivity.
Please sign back in.
We use cookies to help us learn about how our platform is used and how we can improve your experience. To
learn more please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
thank you Ashley