emilyp1002
- Date posted
- 3y
Breathing
how do i stop hyper focusing on my breathing? I feel like my lungs are starting to hurt me now because of this :(
work in progresswork in prog...
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
If you are hyper focused on bodily sensations, you might want to read and article entitled Treating Sensorimotor OCD (aka Somatic OCD) by Dr Michael j. Greenberg
work in progresswork in prog...
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
I don't know if your therapist would take the same approach as Dr Greenberg. Dr Greenberg basically says that awareness of the sensation is not the problem. The problem is purposely directing attention towards it or trying to analyze the problem. But he also says you should not try to push the awareness of the sensation out of your mind.
work in progresswork in prog...
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
There were times where I've focused on my breathing and felt worse. Maybe you should try engaging in a productive or interesting activity.
focifoci
- Date posted
- 3y
Reading this, and also noticing the TV on, my dog walking around - which was annoying me, somehow this is helping me in the moment.
JP8JP8
- Date posted
- 3y
Does doing something like reading help?
.anonymous..anonymous.
- Date posted
- 3y
I have the same thing. I had it when I was young, but now it’s come back… after manually breathing for so long you feel so out of breath and you can’t even rest to get a break cus your still breathing! AhHhh. your not alone tho
Related posts
Iamahero13
- Date posted
- 23w
I’m so obsessed with my breathing.
I feel like I’m going to stop breathing and it makes it seem like an effort just to do it. I just want to be normal again and have my breathing go back to being automatic. Idk how to beat this, I’m constantly worried about it
NaggingOCD
- Date posted
- 21w
struggling
the anxiety is too much i can't keep still my chest hurts my heads full of thoughts im really struggling and don't know what else to do other than deep breathing and letting the anxiety be present
suzie90
- Date posted
- 20w
Health OCD/anxiety shortness of breath
Just wondering if anyone else has shortness of breath caused by anxiety? I’ve been going through a really tough three months anxiety wise (POTS flareup; grief; migraines; panic attacks etc etc). Two days ago a new symptom appeared and it’s knocked me. Shortness of breath 😭 bc I’ve got POTS I’ve had a lot of heart tests done (multiple ECGS, 24 hour holter monitor) which all came back fine apart from the obvious tachycardia that comes with POTS. I had an echocardiogram done on Monday but no results back yet, but I had a consultation with my doctor yesterday and she said that’s probably good news bc they don’t mess around when it comes to your heart. And also my doctor has urgently referred me to a mental health team for therapy bc I basically broke down on the phone to her. One thing I’m mostly panicking about is this shortness of breath. I’ve had it with panic attacks before but this is mainly anxiety riddled feels like my breathing is too noticeable/wheezy without actually PHYSICALLY being wheezy. I’ve done my oxygen and it always stays between 97-99% so I know I’m getting enough oxygen but it does not feel that way and it’s so scary !! I also had a clear chest xray about ten months ago. Idk I feel like I’m just spending every day scanning my body because it feels OFF. Then I’ll finally relax JUST before I fall asleep and all my symptoms disappear. Then I wake up, have a nice 20 seconds before I start scanning again. It’s exhausting. Just looking for some support :(
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond