Re: Can't breathe, dizzy, feel like i'm dying. Anxiety?
Hi Caroline,
It sounds to me like you might have a little acid reflux which, like most people, is exacerbated by your anxiety.
It's most likely that the acid is caused by your anxiety and further fuelling it.
I also have had and do have the feeling that I cant take in a full breath, I used to get this the day after working out and then made it far worse by overbreathing and trying to take in a full breath or yawn.
Whatever the cause, and I do think that it will be very minor, you are very likely breathing with your chest far more than is normal.
Practice belly breathing and or some relaxation tapes as well.
I'll explain that breathing through your mouth in anxious states and taking more air into your chest will cause diziness, chest tightness, intercostal muscles to work harder (which makes the breathing thing a bad cycle of being less able to breathe in comfortably)
If you want to experiment just breathe fast and hard into your chest for a minute or two and watch yourself nearly pass out ;-)
I hope all this helps and it does all sound very familiar to me personally so try your best to just relax and enjoy your life.
Last year my hair fell out when I was at a good point and didn't think I was anxious at all, luckily it's all grown back now but the body can do weird and wonderful things that scare us witless when there's no need to worry at all.
Finally, if you havent already tried this (and its not comfortable at first)..
Place one hand on your chest to ensure its not taking air in as you breathe but instead use your belly and diaprhagm.
Get as comfortable as you can, press your index finger and thumb together and take a large breath all the way into your belly for 4 long seconds.
Hold it for 8 long seconds and clench that finger and thumb tightly..
Then Relax..let it all go..purse your lips slightly as you breathe out to make a hissing sound for 9 seconds.
Do this three times and then wallow in the relaxation and easier breathing that follows.
Good luck with your relaxation.
Daniele
p.s. overbreathing also causes anxiety and adrenalin production, so the clammy palms, sweating, pounding heart, chest pains etc will happen.
You don't have to be mid panic attack to get all the symptoms to some degree as the adrenalin and crap will stay in your system for quite a while.
It usually takes a week or even two to feel properly refreshed and back to fighting form.
__________________
Live each day as though your last,
Enjoy what each moment can give.
Never regret the times gone past,
Look back with a smile and whisper 'I lived!'