why am i having trouble taking deep breaths?

[juldido]

So I feel like i go through these bouts of anxiety where i feel like i cant take a deep breath in and it is so bothersome. I find myself trying to force it all the time when i know i don't need to and it's affecting my sleep a lot. I try to help it by yawning and that sometimes just makes it worse. I know it's just my anxiety because when i'm busy i don't think about it and im fine. i've had this before but I feel like it goes away over night where this has been going on for about 3 days now. i'm not really sure how to stop thinking about it at this point.

[specialmom]

That sounds frustrating!  Man, I hate anxiety!  That is what you need to work on, your anxiety.  Do you do anything for yourself with regards to this?  Have you seen a doctor about it, see a therapist?  There are lifestyle things like frequent exercise and eating right that help with anxiety.  Controlled breathing--  in for 4, hold 4, out for 4, hold 4, repeat that might be better than just focusing on difficulty breathing (which, obviously, if you are having issues that are real --- go the ER).  But really, the best thing to do is to have your anxiety properly diagnosed and treat it to the fullest extent.  good luck

[juldido]

thank you! and yes when i was a lot younger I would go to a therapist about my anxiety but it hasnt been nearly as bad so i just kind of let it go!

[AnxiousNoMore]

The problem disappears when you stop thinking about it so no need to see a doctor, just a therapist.

[specialmom]

Well, that's something up for debate I guess.  Having a doctor oversee treatment for anxiety can be helpful in terms of a positive outcome.  I happen to have a great doctor that treats her patients as a whole.  And they (some doctors) are an excellent resource for information.  I searched for s therapist for my son, for example, that wasn't diagnosis happy. That would help a pre teen boy with coping skills for anxiousness and self image without going down the road of diagnosing into a category.  I just wanted to give him help without a long list of psychiatric diagnoses.  It was our Doctor that helped guide us.  So, doctors can range from totally necessary to a helpful resource in some cases. Luck to the poster.

[AnxiousNoMore]

If he needs help finding a good therapist I can see your point, but i was just saying there is nothing physically wrong that would require a doctor.