Lived Experience Forum

[Daisy3]

I feel like I have to keep taking big breaths and I'm not getting enough

[NikNik]

Hi @Daisy3

I've seen in other posts that you have said you have panic attacks. Is this what's going on for you at the moment?

We were just running a session on Mindfulness tonight, and did the activity below together. Not sure if that will help.

[Daisy3]

No panic attack ATM just very conscious of feeling short of breath

[NikNik]

Please take care of yourself @Daisy - if you think there is something physically wrong, then it's worth going to the hospital just to be safe.

If not though - maybe try the video I suggested above. Being conscious of and listening to your breath can be a really good thing. It can help you slow it down and bring it back to a resting pace.

[Daisy3]

It happens a lot and I've had it checked

[utopia]

@Daisy3. I used to get panic attacks. When I wasn't having one, I was worried about having one.
I soon discovered - especially in the evenings - that my breathing wasn't right. Due to the panic attacks, my natural breathing rhythm changed.
I then found practicing focusing on breathing in and breathing out - like the post attachment above - that I was able to get my normal breath back. It also helped when I had a panic attack to refocus on my breath.
I do this exercise twice a day.
I hope by doing the exercise above - that you can rslax your breathing and find your symptoms stop.
All the best

[Former-Member]

Hi @Daisy3

If asthma and heart/lung disease has been ruled out, what you are experiencing with not being able to take full breaths is anxiety. What @utopia said about breathing exercises (breathe in slow one, two, three - out one, two three) should help. It will also help relax your body as it's being tensed up from your mind being in stressful/fearful/worry state. Then there's being anxious about panic and further attacks. Vicious cycle.

Too break it besides doing the above - keep your mind busy and distracted on other things. This will push the anxious worrying thoughts out. As will also thinking positive - don't allow your mind to dwell on the worst case scenario ( catastrophe thinking). But instead focus your thoughts only on the good only in your life each day, no matter how small. And keep your thoughts in the present - not worrying about the future.  Practise this as its the best way to rid yourself of anxiety in my life experience, always hoping for a good outcome each day. Pushing through the hard bits with this positive mindset. All will be well - keep telling yourself that, hoping in it and believing it. And anxiety will subside.