Extreme scared of hyperventilating

lizikins · Post by **lizikins** » Tue May 13, 2008 5:13 am

I've had anxiety for 3 years, and the huge thing that always stops me, is i'm scared of hyperventilating. I think if i didn't have that fear and believe that I was going to do it, then i would be getting so much better right now. I have never hyperventilated, but whenever i start to get nervous, i feel like i am going to, and then i run from the situation. i get this feeling that i'm not breathing right, and i know your supposed to do the breathing exercises but sometimes i just don't becuz im so nervous. UGHHHHHHHH
I only have 17 days of highschool left, and then i'm done, but i didn't go to school today because i was so scared of hyperventilating! I think i have also been freaking out because i have my senior ball in less then a month which i extremely want to go to, but i dont think ill be able to because its 30 minutes away and i can barely drive 5!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:00 am

I was prone to this years ago and was constantly hyperventilating but at the time didn't know what it was. Once I found out it was all due to anxiety and that I wasn't going to die from it,it became manageable. I would have to breath into a paper bag to slow my breathing down. Getting upset over it made it worse and made my breathing more shallow.- Which didn't help at all. Doing something physical even just a fast paced walk got me to stop obsessing over the breathing and my breathing went back to normal. Anything that gets your focus off this will help. Try to continue the breathing exercises even if you are nervous while taking a walk. I don't fear the hyperventilating anymore, and guess what? It doesn't occur at all now.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:54 am

I also feel this way on a daily basis. It is one of my most recurring fears. It is great to hear that I may not feel this way forever. Thanks!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:25 am

Mary, You hit it right on the nail. WHEN WE NO LONGER FEAR WHATEVER IT IS WE FEAR IT NO LONGER HAUNTS US ANYMORE.

Lizikins, What I recommend for you (when you are ready) is to try to make yourself hyperventilate. Try as hard as you can. Take yourself on one of those little merry go rounds at the park that kids love to go on and go around in circles. Turn yourself around in circles over and over until you fall down. Try to make yourself hyperventilate over and over. You will soon desensitize to this and be free.

I used to hyperventilate and it really scared me. You won't die. Nothing will happen. Worst case scenerio is that you'd pass out and then come to on your own and your breathing would be back to normal again. That's the worst that would happen.

Practice. Even a little tiny bit. You'll soon see that hyperventilation will not hurt you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 13, 2008 2:01 pm

Boon is right. You've gotta face it head on and realize that the only thing scaring you is the thought itself.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 14, 2008 10:09 am

Great advice!