Exercise and Anxiety

[nycgal84]

My newest anxiety symptoms comes when I exercise. I will be on the treadmill, begin running and I feel like I can't breathe - which results in me having a panic attack. I know when we run our breath does get heavy, but I immediately associate it with an anxiety attack. I feel like I can't swallow and I am going to choke. And then I feel like I can't get enough air in and my heart starts racing and I have to just stop exercising because I feel like I am going to pass out. Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions on how I overcome it?

[Paisleegreen]

I was experiencing this wild doing some yard work and right now I can't seem to yawn, I'm not sure if it has to do with something I ate or what. Okay, finally I could take a deep breath. That was a scary feeling to not be able to even "yawn".
Well, you're not alone, if that helps any. Paislee

[Nanner823]

I feel this too, even from moderate exertion, for example walking up and down the stairs. I would like to know what this is about as well.

[TheTimeIsNow]

I experienced a lot of stress last year and started to not be able to take a deep breath. All I started doing was concentrating on my breath. It freaked me out so bad that I went to the doctor and she examined me and did and EKG. Of course everything was ok. I'm finally getting better. The relaxation CD helps because it reminds me to breath into my abdomen and not my chest. I actually put my hand on my abdomen and take a breath into my hand, if that makes sense. I use my hand as a guide of where to bring my breath. And that has worked for me. Sometimes I have to yawn to take a deep breath, but sometimes that doesn't even work. So I do my hand trick and it usually works for me. I just keep telling myself that it's just a symptom of anxiety. It won't hurt me. I hope this helps...

[PlumMach1]

I'm just getting started with this program and I am really struggling with the first three session CD's. The journalling thing really throws me and I'm not sure how to do it. I'm going throught the same thing. Just the thought of exersising gets me axnious and then that in turn depressses me. The last time I did anything really physical was going for a mountain bike ride with my 12 yr old son. And it was a real struggle for me to not feel like I was going colapse on the trail. I live in Northern Kentucky and the weather here has been awful which does'nt encourage me to go out and walk or anything. Having a group of people that are experiencing the same thing I am would be a big help. This month my two sons and their boy scout troop are supposted to go backpacking. I'm tring not to tell my self that I can't do it, I'm an assistant leader and I've done backpacking before, I just hate trying to do it with the anxiety. You're not alone with this and you can do it and so can I.

[nycgal84]

Thanks for your replies! Yes, my friend asked me to train for a 5K with her, so I have to really be able to run for that! I have been going to the gym about 2-3 times a week and not running, but doing the eliptical and bike to try to build up a little endurance to do the running. Last night I ran for about a minute and got a bit panicked, so I walked it off. I plan on going to the gym tonight, and hopefully I don't get worked up and can run 2 minutes! My goal is to just keep pushing through until I can run for 30 minutes. Seems like it is never going to happen - but I am hoping and praying it does!!