Anxiety and Breathing

Hi, I saw this question on the Tapir Discussion Board:

Does anyone ever feel like they can’t get a deep breath? I feel like I can’t get a full breath in and when I keep trying it makes my lungs actually HURT … its starting to bring on a panic attack. HELP!

This is a common complaint of anxiety sufferers and posters on Tapir gave some good answers and responses:

My last panic attack which was my worst and darkest one made me feel like i couldn’t breathe and that i was going to die. Since then every now and then at work, home or when i’m at the gym i remember and become really conscious of my breathing, but as has already been said let go, cos it’s automatic anyway and it won’t just stop. Just relax, and know that it won’t suddenly give way. I get it a lot but i’m learning to accept it.

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I had that for a bit a few years ago. What I discovered was that after I started taking a low does of asthma medication (allergies) it helped emmensely. Can’t remember what it was though. Also, square breathing is great, breath in to 3, hold for 3, breath out for 3, hold for 3, repeat. Its something to focus on, very calming and assures that your not hyperventelating. Most times when someone feels they can’t breath they just breath all the harder which in effect turns into a bit of hyperventalation and doesn’t do any good at all.
Hope this helps.

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That’s pretty much exactly what i go through. it starts out with not getting a full breath and then i think something may be wrong and it goes from there. but ever since i learned that it’s just a symptom of a panic attack i just layback and breath in only through my nose and constantly remind myself it’s just anxiety and it can’t hurt me. like the previous ppl said you won’t just stop breathing so when you feel like you didn’t get a good full breath just remind yourself oh ya that’s just my anxiety and also realize you are getting plenty of air, and don’t struggle for deeper breaths that just makes it worse. that works for me, hope it works for you. and if you want the lingering feeling of not enough air to go away then you have to find out the trigger. for me it was over thinking and dwelling. you should try to find your trigger. hope it works.

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I use to get that all the time! When I was younger my mom would bring me a paper bag to breath in! As I got older I realized I could just cup my hands around my nose and my mouth and breath in and out slowly through my nose would help.

Sounds to me your hyperventilating which is definately part of anxiety!!!! Try not to fight it when it happens. Try the hand trick if your in public and if your at home use the paper bag until you get good at it!!!!

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i also had that really bad years ago,and it lasted about a year,of course this was before they new much about anxiey.what was happening is my chest museles were so tight from the anxiety every time i would take a deep breath it would hurt,and of course that made me have more anxiety,but after finding out that is was just my musels i slowley began to feel alot better.even whlie i slept i was holding such i grip on my hole body,that really i hurt all over,but of course always noticed how my chest and back hurt the most.i hope you feel better soon………cathSometimes I feel like my ab muscles are so tight around my lungs that I can’t get a good breath in. Then, I start forcing the deep breathing which leads me to hyperventilate. I actually don’t experience panic attacks, but I panic at the onset of the side effects of hyperventiliation. Sheesh!

Here is what I am going to try -
1. deep breathing exercises daily while calm
2. when I start to feel like I am not breathing in enough, I am just going to focus on relaxing all muscles in my abdomen (I read somewhere that you should try to go limp) and breathe subconsciously. i’m going to focus on something else besides my breathing – like my favorite beach.

Tags: breathing, breath, hyperventilation, anxiety, doctor, side effect profile, insomnia, celexa, citalopram, anti-depressant, ssri, GAD, Venlaflaxine, effexor, panic attack, phobia, stress management, agoraphobia

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