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[anthonyg23]

i have constant nasal congestion, and feeling like you cant breathe comfortably is enough to set someone off with panic. the past few weeks once in a while i felt the need to take deep breaths and when i did this i either felt like i got enough oxygen or not but always managed to have it under control...but these past 2 days when i feel the need to take deep breaths most of the i feel like i dont get enough air its like a habit now. Now my brain thinks im not getting enough air and this is inducing anxiety and yesterday i almost had a full blown panic attack...anyone else experience this? any tips on how to stop this habit?

[nocturneangel]

Hi anthony,

I understand why the thought of not getting enough oxygen is causing you to panic, it must be really disturbing. From your signature, I assume this is due to hypochondria, right? Are you seeing a therapist? Because from my struggles with OCD, I know how hard it is to overcome these anxious thoughts by oneself. But in a good therapy, you will learn how to control your anxiety. Do you feel more relaxed after taking your meds? If not, you should let you pdoc know as well. Anxiety is a real pain, but you're not powerless against it.

I'm afraid I cannot give any advice on how to get rid of this habit, as I haven't experienced it myself. Hope this still helps a little. Keep us posted.

[caitlin12095]

I've experienced this before and it is hell. My freshman year of high school I was under a lot of stress and I had a ton of anxiety. At the time, I thought it was asthma, but it really had nothing to do with my lungs and now I realize it was tied to anxiety. I felt like I had to yawn to get enough oxygen and I felt lightheaded a lot, too. There's a name for this, actually, it's called "chronic hyperventilation", and although I was never formally diagnosed with this, it seems a lot like what I went through. I did have a full blown panic attack that year caused by anxiety and I was hyperventilating. I went to the doctor that day and surprisingly, they didn't recognize it as anxiety or prescribe me with anything. I would bring it up next time you visit your psychiatrist to see if changing your medication might help. Feeling like you can't breathe is the worst. Best of luck :)
-Caitlin

[HRiddle]

Hey I feel like this could be a physical illness. Have you talked to your doctor about it? It might be anxiety but it might also be some heart/cardiovascular condition. Maybe do an ECG? I'm not a doctor so you'd better consult a professional, but I've known people who had similar symptoms and it turned out to be heart disease (not too bad though, so don't panic). Make sure to check with your doctor.

[anthonyg23]

thanks for all your replies i really appreciate it. i definitely think its just my anxiety because when i take my medications it isnt as bad...i guess it couldnt hurt to get a check up...just that someone agoraphobia and anxiety it can be a struggle to go to the dr.

[anthonyg23]

caitlin12095...how did it go away for you? on its own or through medication?...i realize that if i try and distract myself, lay down, or take my meds i dont find myself taking deep breaths all the time

[anthonyg23]

nocturneangel...yeah my hypohondria sucks, every little unpleasant symptom i feel my anxiety intensifies it and having ocd on top of that doesnt help lol =/...yeah i do have a therapist but i dont go as often as id like to cuz of my agoraphobia

[caitlin12095]

For me it just went away over time. Freshman year was probably the most stressful year of my life because I was starting highschool in a school where I knew almost no one, I was extremely shy, and for half of the day I went to a specialized school where my dad was a teacher. I made friends and got used to being taught by my dad over time, but I was still depressed for a few years after and still had anxiety, but not as bad. I have more of a problem with depression than anxiety, but being on antidepressants has really helped my anxiety as well. I'm currently adjusting to a 150 mg dosage of Zoloft, and generally Zoloft does pretty well at managing anxiety as well as depression with minimal side effects.