valley
22-12-15, 18:59
Hello.
I am experiencing a symptom which I know is a common anxiety symptom, but it is scary none-the-less. It is also a new symptom for me. I am having problems breathing, it feels like I need to take a deep breath but can't. It's like a heaviness sort of feeling in my chest, I take in some deep breaths but I feel like I can't quite get enough air in. Then I end up yawning and that helps, but it feels like, without the yawns, I can't get in enough air.
I have really been freaking out about this lately, convincing myself I have lung cancer or something. I know I've been subconsciously anxious, as a friend's husband was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He is my age, and he's young - 34 years old. I guess it's hitting me hard because I've never had a good friend diagnosed with a serious/terminal illness, especially someone my own age. It's scary to think about and now I think all sorts of thoughts like, "well he's old enough to get cancer, so I am too" or "well if it happens to him it can happen to anyone, even me", etc etc.
The breathing seems to be a little better when I don't think about it.
It also seems counterintuitive to try anxiety breathing excersises, as I think the more I focus on my breathing, the worse it gets.
I guess I need some reassurance that this is anxiety related, and also any tips/suggestions for how to deal with this.
On a side note, I'm 33 years old and have suffered with anxiety since I was about 15. I've had TONS of physical anxiety symptoms over the years, but this is a new one. Why would a new symptom start NOW?
I am experiencing a symptom which I know is a common anxiety symptom, but it is scary none-the-less. It is also a new symptom for me. I am having problems breathing, it feels like I need to take a deep breath but can't. It's like a heaviness sort of feeling in my chest, I take in some deep breaths but I feel like I can't quite get enough air in. Then I end up yawning and that helps, but it feels like, without the yawns, I can't get in enough air.
I have really been freaking out about this lately, convincing myself I have lung cancer or something. I know I've been subconsciously anxious, as a friend's husband was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He is my age, and he's young - 34 years old. I guess it's hitting me hard because I've never had a good friend diagnosed with a serious/terminal illness, especially someone my own age. It's scary to think about and now I think all sorts of thoughts like, "well he's old enough to get cancer, so I am too" or "well if it happens to him it can happen to anyone, even me", etc etc.
The breathing seems to be a little better when I don't think about it.
It also seems counterintuitive to try anxiety breathing excersises, as I think the more I focus on my breathing, the worse it gets.
I guess I need some reassurance that this is anxiety related, and also any tips/suggestions for how to deal with this.
On a side note, I'm 33 years old and have suffered with anxiety since I was about 15. I've had TONS of physical anxiety symptoms over the years, but this is a new one. Why would a new symptom start NOW?