Hard to Take a Deep Breath

danacan · Post by **danacan** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:24 pm

I just began session 15!!! Wow!!! I'm so proud of myself for getting this far. But, for the last week, I've found it hard to take a deep breath. Everything I've read about this symptom says it's probably related to anxiety. I'm not feeling overly anxious, though. I went to see a Dr. today to rule out any respiratory issues and she couldn't find anything physically wrong. So, it probably is anxiety. The more I focus on it, the worse it gets. It's very annoying. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I'm using the skills, i.e. compassionate self talk, underreacting, etc. to work through this. So far though, I'm still having these symptoms. I would appreciate any help or suggestions from the staff or peers.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:33 pm

I remember when I feel anxious that I seem to yawn alot or try to control my breathing on my own. I tend to chest breathe then and feel crummy. I just heard a man on the radio yesterday (a medical professional) talking about feeling this not getting air thing. He said, blow out all your air from your lungs and relax. Your lungs reinflate without any help from you, due to air pressure in the atmosphere. Your thinking is not required for you to breathe-- Yipee!! You are not responsible for it

I find that exercise and the deep breathing that it requires, relaxes my breathing. You could drag out the relaxation tape again, too. Or yoga or Pilates help too.

Yea for you making it all the way thru the sessions.!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:23 am

Check your shoulders. Sometimes we are "onguard" anticipating anxiety (out of habit) and this will cut off your deep breath. It won't hurt you. You don't have to feel anxious to experience shallow breathing. Pay attention to your breath, and breathing out air (before breathing in) is an excellent exercise and good advice. Just when you think you've breathed out all you can, breath out more. Your lungs may already have air in them and this will clear it so that deep breath will come. (This will not hurt you either.)

Practice your relaxation tape daily and focus on your breath. In time the easy breathing will be your norm.