Do You Sigh From Anxiety?

[trishok]

yes, sighs plus holding breath. Still don't know how to breathe properly and I'm 62!

 

[dust]

Yes, sighing - ahhhh

 

[kers]

I assumed I'd replied to this already! Evie's response on the first page is what my counselor told me--that when I am anxious and fearful, I stop breathing, breathe less frequently, and breathe shallower breaths, which leads to sighing. I've noticed that if I'm sighing, a lot of times I am also listening hard for sounds and often trying to seem smaller or less conspicuous---all going back to a freeze response to the trauma.

It helps me to notice the sighs, then force myself to sit up straight and take a few slow, deep breaths to try to disrupt the cycle.

 

[Marlene]

when I am anxious and fearful, I stop breathing, breathe less frequently, and breathe shallower breaths, which leads to sighing.

Oh yeah...that's me, too. I've also noticed at work that when the anxiety is on the rise I do this one big gasp for breath. Probably because of the stopping breathing and shallow breathing my body just demands a breath and gets it with a gasp. But it makes a whole lot more aware of my breathing after that.

Lisa

 

[goingonhope]

Bec, have been here reading again.

Just asked my husband if ever I still sigh and he says yes, and displayed for me what it sounds like now. It looked as if he was sputtering out small grunts and says that he notices I do this when I'm frustrated when not getting my point across and feeling heard.

Ooops, I questioned him a bit too much. (LOL), because he just now told me when else I still sigh. ...If I'm in troubling distress, if my son is not behaving, and when he my husband is not on my same page.

I do believe I've made a heck'a'va lot of improvements here though, as I can manage my frustrations a whole lot better with enough sleep and some exercise, which more often then not I do get.

And, also have discovered, without question, that my Ptsd is not entirely the cause of families challenges. Whereas before, I was too often quietly blaming myself and being blamed for things that I didn't influence, nor were within my control; and, when such is coming at you both from within and externally it's damn hard not to feel continuously frustrated.

But, really my sighs are brief, sputtering grunts and no longer heaving. (Smiles)

 

[anni]

Yes to the sighs- it's a family 'thing' now. My kids will give an exaggerated sigh if I say something they don't like, just to pull my leg.

Anni

 

[cat]

Yes, I've always sighed this & used to be pulled up for it as a child. Yesterday my T added 'C' to my PTSD, now I know why!!

 

[somerandomguy]

Just wanted to say that I do it too. I never would have guessed, but based on these responses it seems common.

 

[onebravegirl]

Yep, I call them "AIR COCKTAILS"
:thumbs-up
O

 

[Nicky31]

Hi Becvan

I'd never thought about this, but yes I do. I seem to do it a lot anyway these days but yes more when I'm anxious. I would also attibute it to oxygen like Moki does.

Nic

 

[Sasha]

Yes, I sigh heavily during the day. More so when I am feeling 'weighted down' and overwhelmed. Big sigh.

 

[blueheaven]

Yes, I sigh a lot...my boyfriend points it out when I do and asks me why, and I really can't tell him why because I didn't realize it happened until he said something. I often having trouble remembering what I was thinking.

I also yawn a lot, especially in therapy.