Trouble Breathing Post Anxiety Attack.

[NukaGirl]

I haven't been here in a while. I guess things have been okay up until now.

Basically, I had a really bad anxiety attack completely out of the blue. It started with the hollow feeling in my chest, followed by the thumping heart. Then the shaking and shallow breathing kicked in. I honest to Gods thought I was having a heart attack.

The attack passed, but since then I've been finding it difficult to breathe and there's an almost tight constricting feeling in my ribs. It feels like the only way to get a deep breath is to yawn. I've tried breathing slowly, but it hurts and I feel like I'm going to pass out because my breathing is so shallow. Is this normal after a severe anxiety attack? What can I do to stop it?

 

[franciemarnie]

My go-to is walking or running because my fight or flight brain has been activated and somehow is getting the message that I am in danger - though it may not be in real time and space. The movement shows my brain I am not trapped.

Even just sitting, I can move my legs like I am running or box out my arms or kick out. This usually opens up my breath and rib cage. Then later I can calm down enough for mindful meditation.

You might Google pranic breathing and try that too. It's sort of breathing in and filling up the diaphragm and holding briefly then exhaling the same count and holding briefly the same count, repeat.

But in a panic, my body says - go, go, go! Then it relaxes after I do.

 

[Almost There]

If you go to you tube... Search for: Dr. Andre Weil breathing. There is a video that is 7 or so minutes and it explains the method and how to use it. It also explains the benefits.

 

[Always have Hope!]

ive been having panic disorder for 22 years, it took years to help them, but I didn't have much support back then. I've learn over the years to learn the symptoms, whatever order each one comes, you first address that feeling, you ask yourself if I've felt this before, usually panic attacks consist of rapid breathing, sweating, tight chest, and alot of racing thoughts. Feeling of dread and doom.feels like your going crazy, out of control. Thats why if a symptom appears you address it. Oh my chest is tight? Why? Oh, now my heart and breathing is rapid, agree to let it, tell yourself I'll be ok, this happen before, if I focus and relax and work to slow my breathing and focus on self control, I can, and I will slow my rate down, I will slow my thoughts, my breathing. I will regain control of my body and mind, and knowing I have felt this before. That in time it will subside, teach your mind, that I've had them in the past, that they can not kill me. If you work on it as soon as you feel first symptoms with control usually the others will not come about. Stay focus grasshopper

 

[NukaGirl]

As much as I appreciate the advice, Dr Dredloc, I have tried telling myself that I am okay when I feel the anxiety attack beginning. It doesn't work. I have also tried riding it out, letting it happen. Same result. It just gets worse. Like the day I posted about. I tried the usual deep breathing, I tried the Alexander Technique, I tried telling myself that I was safe and that no one was going to hurt me. It simply did not work.
So what am I to do, then?

 

[Bill Dickerson]

It's not a breathing problem. It's just a symptom of the anxiety.

It's the brain telling the body a tiger is chasing me so run like hell.

The first one I had I ended up in the Emergency Room. Feels like your body is out of control and it is in a way.

You have to work the anxiety end of it. Get with your Therapist and try to determine what is causing the anxiety. It may not be obvious so it may a while to figure out where your trigger is located.

The positive self talk helps but like I said you have to work the anxiety issue not the body issue. It may not help much but myself and thousands of other people on this site have had panic attacks and we are still here to write about it.

It's a horrible and scary feeling but you will get through it.