dafyddjdavies
02-09-07, 01:23 AM
Ive been suffering with this overbreathing crap for 3 yrs so far. Finally arranged an appointment with a counciler and still waiting for this session.
Im just going to write about what ive learnt so far, dont know if its going to help because obviously im still suffering.
There is a definate connection to a traumatic period for me, to how this condition started. I thought i was going to die once and had a massive panic attack, my first!! And even though i thought i came through ok, 2 yrs down the line its started back. It was as if my body had learnt to panic/overbreathe.
Anyway ive learnt a few ways of coping with this since it first started. As every website says, exersise, stop drinking, smoking blah blah blah.... I dont want to!! so ive been searching for ages about what to do. My sister being an occupational therapist has given me a teaching guide for anxiety and overbreathing which ive been studying. So here are my learnings...
When i overbreathe i overthink, e.g. if im in an unfamiliar place i think "i hope i dont start overbreathing now" which instantly makes me start.. dont know if its th same with everyone but thats the case with me.. Anyway what i do is to start with breathing excercises 7/11 (breathe in for 7 breaths and out 11) till i calm down a little and my heart stops going crazy, then its a little more complicated, i try my best to look and listen with full concentration at something around me e.g. listening for a car passing afar, or watching something in the distance and trying to listen to the sound, this usually makes overbreathing slightly more bareable.
And finally (if im lucky this works), I stop thinking, and even concentrate on not thinking anymore thoughts. As i see it the thought process fuels overbreathing and anxiety... your giving power to your problem, which means that if you stop thinking then your sorted. Ive only been doing this 2 weeks so im not amazing at it but it has been helping loads!!!! I concentrate on the thoughts that are already in my head, and make sure not to think of anymore thoughts, just let the thoughts burn out on their own accord, this will then make you relax regardless. Once you stop yourself from thinking normal breathing takes over!! Only problem is when you start feeling normal you instantly think of overbreathing again which can start the process again. Its still better than continual problems though.... sounds difficult in writing but it really isnt... its quite easy when you keep trying.
Right this is my first forum posting.. ill keep adding my findings if people are interested, coz i know a lot of people dont realise how horrible this condition is and people with it deserve to know how to get it sorted. Im learning and feelinglot lot lot better than when it started.
I really really really hope this helps,
Im looking forward to some advice from other members too so please reply to this posting,
Good Luck All, i know how shit it feels bigstyle,
Dafydd ;)
Im just going to write about what ive learnt so far, dont know if its going to help because obviously im still suffering.
There is a definate connection to a traumatic period for me, to how this condition started. I thought i was going to die once and had a massive panic attack, my first!! And even though i thought i came through ok, 2 yrs down the line its started back. It was as if my body had learnt to panic/overbreathe.
Anyway ive learnt a few ways of coping with this since it first started. As every website says, exersise, stop drinking, smoking blah blah blah.... I dont want to!! so ive been searching for ages about what to do. My sister being an occupational therapist has given me a teaching guide for anxiety and overbreathing which ive been studying. So here are my learnings...
When i overbreathe i overthink, e.g. if im in an unfamiliar place i think "i hope i dont start overbreathing now" which instantly makes me start.. dont know if its th same with everyone but thats the case with me.. Anyway what i do is to start with breathing excercises 7/11 (breathe in for 7 breaths and out 11) till i calm down a little and my heart stops going crazy, then its a little more complicated, i try my best to look and listen with full concentration at something around me e.g. listening for a car passing afar, or watching something in the distance and trying to listen to the sound, this usually makes overbreathing slightly more bareable.
And finally (if im lucky this works), I stop thinking, and even concentrate on not thinking anymore thoughts. As i see it the thought process fuels overbreathing and anxiety... your giving power to your problem, which means that if you stop thinking then your sorted. Ive only been doing this 2 weeks so im not amazing at it but it has been helping loads!!!! I concentrate on the thoughts that are already in my head, and make sure not to think of anymore thoughts, just let the thoughts burn out on their own accord, this will then make you relax regardless. Once you stop yourself from thinking normal breathing takes over!! Only problem is when you start feeling normal you instantly think of overbreathing again which can start the process again. Its still better than continual problems though.... sounds difficult in writing but it really isnt... its quite easy when you keep trying.
Right this is my first forum posting.. ill keep adding my findings if people are interested, coz i know a lot of people dont realise how horrible this condition is and people with it deserve to know how to get it sorted. Im learning and feelinglot lot lot better than when it started.
I really really really hope this helps,
Im looking forward to some advice from other members too so please reply to this posting,
Good Luck All, i know how shit it feels bigstyle,
Dafydd ;)
