[cool09]

Haven't been able to control breathing during anxiety/panic attacks this week and went to ER (and they couldn't do anything). Anxiety is purely physical with me, first my breathing gets really short. I've been on tons of benzos in my life and they just take the edge off w/o curing the problem.

[Skeezyks]

I'm sorry you are experiencing this difficulty. At this point in my life I mostly experience anxiety as simply a constant internal sort-of tremor throughout my body. I frequently also feel like I'm short of breath nowadays too, although I'm really not. I'm not sure if that is an anxiety symptom or if it's a symptom of something else. I haven't seen a doctor about it.

Years ago, though, when I was still a real person (had a job & a life), I used to get some strange symptoms. One time I was at the theater & my eyes kept bouncing up & down in their sockets. I could hardly see what was going on. Another time my left leg began to shake so intensely I thought I might tip over! I've experienced other symptoms as well.

[possum220]

Hyperventilating is not fun at all. I am surprised that the ER couldn't do anything. Make a conscious decision to slow your breathing. I find it effective to breathe into sandwich sized brown bag until things are better. This will balance the oxygen levels again.

Do breathing exercises when you are less stressed helps you to practice for the times when things are over the top.

I get a tight feeling in my chest when I’m upset or anxious and unfortunately I don’t notice my breathing is shallow until I get that uncomfortable feeling. Then I take breaths that are probably too deep and end up feeling light headed. Ugh. I did notice that daily meditation and breathing practice helped quite a bit. Now if only I would keep up with that... It’s sounds like such a simple thing yet it’s actually really hard to do.

I tend to, for the most part, find a position that is " safe", and try to get myself in to that position

a position of security I sometimes call it, where in sted of panicking and being anxious, I can try to relax and take it easy.

certain music helps too

piano/ violin music

probably what helps me the most though is someone taking my arm, if possible, and just holding it until it stops.

think of it like someone hating needles, and someone holding your hand until the injection is finished

that concept