- Username
- LB0419
- Date posted
- 1y ago
Struggling with somatic OCD about breathing; seeking helpful strategies.
Somatic OCD
Hi, new here to NOCD šš¼ 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 itās a normal bodily function but I get the urge to take deep breaths every couple of mins. When I donāt get āa full deep breathā, it sends me into a panic & the intrusive thoughts start.. āwhat if I never get a deep breath againā āthere is nothing I can do to make myself get that full deep breathā āif I donāt get a deep breath, you must not be able to breatheā - 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. Iām 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, Iām able to talk myself through it & I donāt let it take over but other times, it feels uncontrollable. NOCD has been helpful so far, itās comforting knowing Iām not alone. Iām 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.