sensorimotor ocd with breathing

I keep getting so fixated on my breathing and then it will go away for a few months and then come back when I get stressed. It's just so frustrating I don't even understand what I'm scared of ??? Focusing on my breathing? It just feels like I have to breath manually and I can't stop thinking about it and it's just scary! And frustrating! I want to be in the moment not thinking about a completely normal bodily function! Sorry for the nonsensical rant it's just frustrating! Wondering if anyone else deals with sensorimotor ocd?

Username: Dee CDee C

Date posted: 1y ago

Some things I’ve picked up in my journey as it may relate to somatic ocd and/or body sensations: The heart knows how to pump blood through out the body, the lungs knows how much air to breathe in & out, the stomach knows how to process nourishment, the eye lids know how & when to blink, my scalp has muscles & blood vessels that pulsate. So I’ve learned to let them all do their jobs without having to interfere.

Username: LittleByLittleLittleByLittle

Date posted: 1y ago

Ive had this for the past 5.5 months or so and it's gotten so much better. I act like I don't care and carry on with life and it eventually diminished over time. I also steadfastly refuse to breathe manually, when it pops up, and my body always backs down and does the breathing for me. I never once passed out. You have to confront to show you aren't afraid or bothered, and then not care whether it stays or goes. Also, 100mg Zoloft helped too.

Username: Anonymous121212Anonymous121212

Date posted: 1y ago

I had it a while ago and mine also came back a few months ago. It’s my breathing sometimes but it’s mostly when I swallow. I know what you mean bc it frustrates me so much too

Username: KillianKillian

User type: NOCD Alumni

Date posted: 1y ago

I hear you, I also deal with this & other sensorimotor obsessions. It definitely is frustrating and confusing when there’s not a core “fear” you can identify and it’s more a feeling that it doesn’t “feel right.” I wonder if one underlying fear could be “what if I never stop thinking about this?” Or “what if I’m always feeling this way and never present in the moment?” Sometimes those can be obsessions too, though they are less obvious. Is there any non-engagement response or way of messing with the obsessive thinking pattern that has helped you move through it?

Username: Elyriel

Date posted: 5y ago

I have severe sensorimotor obssession about my breathing i dont know what to do

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 3y ago

Does anyone have somatic OCD specific to breathing? Sounds crazy, but whenever i get in bed these days I cant help but start focusing on my breathing (because, diabolically, I know it makes it difficult to breathe). It’ll then become impossible for me to sleep, my breathing will be irregular, and I cant get my mind off it unless I become super busy. Has anyone found any solutions to this problem, between therapy, medication, etc? I exercise/otherwise take care of my health, but have had this problem the last 8 years and its getting more and more debilitating I dont want keeping busy to be the only solution- I want to be able to relax and not be plagued with the thought of breathing Thanks

Somatic OCD

Username: LB0419

Date posted: 1y ago

Somatic OCD

Hi, new here to NOCD 👋🏼 I have struggled with what I now know as somatic OCD for the last 3 1/2 years, when it comes to breathing & taking deep breaths. I have noticed that I spend 98% of my day, thinking about it & paying attention to it. I know it’s a normal bodily function but I get the urge to take deep breaths every couple of mins. When I don’t get “a full deep breath”, it sends me into a panic & the intrusive thoughts start.. “what if I never get a deep breath again” “there is nothing I can do to make myself get that full deep breath” “if I don’t get a deep breath, you must not be able to breathe” - sometimes these thoughts & moments totally take over & I find myself spiraling. I feel like all my walls are closing in & my heart starts racing. The panic usually lasts a couple of mins if that but it feels like forever. I’m much better at handling and working through it now than I was 3 years ago, but I still have bad moments & sometimes bad days. At times, I’m able to talk myself through it & I don’t let it take over but other times, it feels uncontrollable. NOCD has been helpful so far, it’s comforting knowing I’m not alone. I’m just wondering if anyone else deals with this type of OCD? Have you found anything to be helpful to deal with it? Thanks in advance.

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sensorimotor ocd with breathing

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