Anyone else experience breathing OCD? I keep focusing on my breathing and if I’m breathing “correctly” or if I’m getting enough oxygen to my brain or body. It’s scary and annoying. I am hyper fixated on my breathing and if I am lightheaded or other symptoms in case its an emergency. 😭 It sucks.
I have recently started having breathing ocd for the last 2-3 months. I worry about my breathing throughout the day. I ask myself or you getting enough air? I have had numerous chest x-rays, blood gas checked, echocardiogram, d-dimer, and pulmonary function test all within normal limits. I use check my heart rate constantly, and my pulse oxygen levels which range from 98-100. ERP therapy has been a game changer. You’re in the right place.
@Anonymous Hi thanks for responding!! I’m happy to say I’ve conquered this fear :) But I’ve definitely related and have been in the same spot. We got this!
@A-5H73Y Yes indeed. Thanks for sharing.
@A-5H73Y How did you finally conquer your breathing fear?
@Anonymous To be honest it took a few months of ERP, and I had a LOT of panic attacks. I even began feeling afraid to sleep because I was worried I’d stop breathing and so I struggled with sleeping too. But what helped was honestly saying if it happens, it happens. I stopped trying to control my breathing. Anytime my brain would think of something catastrophic- I said okay, yup it could happen. I’ll deal with it then. It’s hard at first. Unbearable- I would google and spiral all the time. But over time, slowly, I was able to undo the spiderweb of rumination and googling. If I can do it, we all can! I also found staying busy helps too because my brain isn’t focused on my breathing or thoughts haha.
@A-5H73Y Thanks for sharing. The thoughts keep coming but with a little less intensity. Thanks for sharing. It helps me realize that it takes time., and I my have set backs
@A-5H73Y I feel like I’m not breathing unless I take a deep breath. I’m dizzy all day, feel like fainting. I’ll hyperventilate . I can’t shake the thought it drives me crazy. How do you sit in the feeling of thinking you’re not breathing and move through it. I can’t talk , have a hard time eating because of being focused on my breathing . Ive pureed my food so I can eat it quicker . I usually panic after eating hyperventilating . Ive lost so much weight. Headaches ugh! My poor family . I’m on lexipro for almost two weeks and have Xanax.
@Anonymous I can totally understand. I suffered from every symptom that you mentioned. Have you had chest X-rays, blood work, heart ❤️ work up? If so and your heart and lungs are fine. The OCD monster 👿 maybe the culprit. Slow progressive exercise, good sleep, box breathing, decreasing sugar and processed foods a little at a time changing to Whole Foods fruit and veggies. If you have tried these your own the right track. Finding your specific healing path is the goal. Trial and error is a part of the journey. Follow your therapists advice ERP done correctly will allow you to be liberated from your symptoms. It may feel impossible, but you can be set free. I had to totally re-shape my thinking, and allow myself to feel symptoms and move thru them. It becomes easier over time especially when the medication kick in. It takes time and patience, and perseverance. You may stumble at times, but get back up. Praying constantly helped me as well. Please continue being kind to yourself, you are valid and worthy of living your best life.
Have been struggling with somatic breathing ocd. I start feeling like I can’t breathe and start feeling faint. I have a performance this weekend and my biggest fear is that I won’t be able to sing. I worry that I’m not gonna be able to perform cause it also causes a wave of fear and I’m scared I’m gonna feel too faint where I’m gonna have to go run off stage. I start hyperventilating and I don’t know how to stop it. My mind just makes me aware and then I eventually start hyperventilating. Any tips? I’ve tried just acknowledging it but it hasn’t helped the hyperventilating much. Any tips please? I have to go on stage for tech in 50 mins
Does anyone know how to get rid of these thoughts? I have to manually breathe almost every second of everyday and it's getting tiresome and I can't stop thinking about no matter what the distractions are.
PLEASEEE READ!! I know this sounds ridiculous but lately I’ve been soo hyperfocused on my breathing. I feel like I’m not breathing right/properly, it’s hard to explain.. it just feels wrong or like my breathing pattern is wrong. How that’s possible? I have no clue. I’ve had this all day. Has anyone ever experienced this?? My doctor keeps saying anxiety but I just feel like something isn’t right.
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