Shazamataz
06-05-16, 06:09
Hi All, not exactly sure which section to post this in but thought under GAD would do. I seem to have both this and Panic Disorder and probably some Health anxiety as well.
Anyway, last week when I saw the psychologist he wanted to talk to me about breathing and explained that during anxiety we tend to OVER breathe, taking more breaths than average and often shallower so of course a technique to calm things is to take slower, deeper breaths.
But here's where I'm stuck. He said the average breathing rate for a normal person is something like 12-16 per minute. He sent me off to do some breath counting and then practice the slower breathing. BUT every time I count my breaths at the moment without deliberately trying to change anything I only breathe 7-9 times a minute.
So the question is: Can UNDER breathing be as much of an issue as OVER breathing? Do I need to try and speed my breathing up a little bit?
Anyway, last week when I saw the psychologist he wanted to talk to me about breathing and explained that during anxiety we tend to OVER breathe, taking more breaths than average and often shallower so of course a technique to calm things is to take slower, deeper breaths.
But here's where I'm stuck. He said the average breathing rate for a normal person is something like 12-16 per minute. He sent me off to do some breath counting and then practice the slower breathing. BUT every time I count my breaths at the moment without deliberately trying to change anything I only breathe 7-9 times a minute.
So the question is: Can UNDER breathing be as much of an issue as OVER breathing? Do I need to try and speed my breathing up a little bit?