Somatic or Real?

Sometimes I feel absolutely fine, then the next few moments I’m gasping for air and it feels like it won’t fill my lungs no matter how hard I try. Sometimes it comes on so suddenly without me consciously thinking about it so I’m having a really hard time differentiating between what’s physically happening and what’s caused by somatic OCD. I wonder at times if it’s a mix of both, but either way it’s a terrible feeling and makes me feel dizzy, weak and anxious. I want to break this cycle so badly but I don’t know how to tackle it. Breathing should be such an easy, mundane thing but now it takes everything in me just to make it through each episode.

Username: JenniesOCDBrainJenniesOCDBrain

Date posted: 1y ago

hey there, i really feel for you going through this. the way you described those sudden breathless moments hits close to home, even though my own ocd tangles up with different obsessions from pure o. it's like one second you're okay and the next, your own body seems to turn against you. i totally get how exhausting and scary that can be, and i'm here to listen whenever you need to vent or just talk it out. i stumbled upon something recently that might resonate with your situation. my therapist pointed me towards this free ai ocd therapy tool called "unstuck" (here's the link for you: www.AIOCDtool.com). it's tailored for moments exactly like what you're describing, where the line between physical sensations and ocd symptoms gets really blurry. what's cool about it is that it's like having a mini ocd therapist in your pocket. you just type in what's bugging you, and it guides you through the steps to untangle those overwhelming thoughts. i know app promotions can be annoying, and i'm not about that life, but "unstuck" has been a game-changer for me. it's not a cure-all, but it's been a solid ally in those tough spots. no pressure at all, just thought it might give you some relief too. if you have any questions or want to chat about how it works, i'm all ears. hang in there, we're in this together 🌟✨

Username: Liza Liza

Date posted: 1y ago

Hello , Maybe you are having panic attacks ? Panic attacks typically include some of these signs or symptoms: Sense of impending doom or danger Fear of loss of control or death Rapid, pounding heart rate Sweating Trembling or shaking Shortness of breath or tightness in your throat Chills Hot flashes Nausea Abdominal cramping Chest pain Headache Dizziness, lightheadedness or faintness Numbness or tingling sensation Feeling of unreality or detachment

Username: ebtuhcsebtuhcs

Date posted: 1y ago

Thanks for your response!! I should’ve clarified, but I am no stranger to panic attacks and have been having them for years. What I’ve been experiencing recently is actually quite different: a hyper-awareness of my own breathing that makes me basically overcompensate and try to get more air (perhaps a compulsion?). My usual panic attacks only last a few minutes, but this newfound struggle can sometimes last a few hours if it’s a really bad day.

Username: ebtuhcsebtuhcs

Date posted: 1y ago

@ebtuhcs - Perhaps my panic attacks have taken on a different form…

Username: lilmissocd lilmissocd

Date posted: 1y ago

Sounds like panic attacks to me! Here are some things that help me: sour candy (warheads), ice in hand (hold til it melts) or on neck, box breathing, exercise - also if you freak out about derealization just tell yourself your brain is taking a break which really helps me!!

Username: Liza Liza

Date posted: 1y ago

Then , it could be part of OCD . Are you doing ERP or medication treatment ?

Username: ebtuhcsebtuhcs

Date posted: 1y ago

@ Liza Dogtieva No, I don’t know if I can afford it, though I’d really like to try ERP.

Username: Liza Liza

Date posted: 1y ago

@ebtuhcs If you are from USA you can try this service in NOCD app . It is quite affordable compared to other services . Also , I know very good web site where you can find professional psychotherapists in your country . https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca Also , you can do teletherapy from everywhere too . For example , if you choose in Canada . https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/on/toronto?category=online-counselling&cost=1&spec=15

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.

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 44w ago

Somatic ocd need desperate help

Hi I'm new here, I have been suffering from somatic breathing ocd for like a month now but has gotten so much worse since like 2 days ago my chest hurts everyday bc I be so focused on my breathing I feel like I can't switch back to automatic anym until unless I'm asleep the thought of breathing is always running constantly in the back of my mind when I'm distracting myself or when it gets worse its the only thing I can focus on. I literally feel like gasping for air too. I'm scared I might damage my automatic breathing system or something like that. Im lost as to what to do I feel like I'm beyond fixable.

Username: Falilv2511!

Date posted: 37w ago

Somatic OCD/ Breathing OCD

I’ve been having this since a month and it’s horrible like I might forget how to breathe it becomes manual, and it’s every second of every day, distractions don’t really help and I feel so hopeless. I am not diagnosed with OCD, diagnosed with GAD but after a bad cold I developed this similar OCD condition being so hyper aware of my breath.

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Somatic or Real?

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