Has anyone ever caught themselves holding their breath

[Hemosapien]

Ive been noticing more and more recently that Im holding my breath without realising. Its getting so bad that I only notice when Im getting dizzy.

Has anyone else expericanced this??

 

[Feathers]

Not really but I had some troubles breathing recently...

I'll try to pay more attention to it...

 

[Kiwong]

Yes, I do notice this. I forget to breath. I also feel dizzy, which is the onset of the panic feeling. I have learnt to control this feeling so much by remembering to breath that I haven't had a panic attack for 4 years now.

 

[Hemosapien]

Thankfully, I don't panic, I just start breathing again and think "WTF? What kind of person forgets to breathe??" Just makes me think Im even more weird than I already did. Im glad Im not the only one =)

 

[MaliceInWickedland]

Yes!!! I noticed that I've been doing that a lot lately. Like the other day I was coming home from work and saw this guy I had a huge crush on in high school walking down the street towards me and I started freaking out, hoping he didn't notice me and I started holding my breath. Thankfully he didn't notice me otherwise that would have been very awkward with my face all tense and body stiff.

 

[Kiwong]

Thankfully, I don't panic, I just start breathing again and think "WTF? What kind of person forgets to breathe??" Just makes me think Im even more weird than I already did. Im glad Im not the only one =)

Your not weird at all, it is a very common problem with stress and anxiety. It is also something you can learn to control.

 

[Phoenixx]

I just noticed the other day that I do this when I'm driving. I don't have my license yet and I don't know if I'll ever get it any time soon. I just get so incredibly anxious driving when there's other people around. I didn't even realize I was holding my breath until my mom jokingly said, "Forgot to breathe?"

 

[Hemosapien]

Your not weird at all, it is a very common problem with stress and anxiety. It is also something you can learn to control.

Would that involve going to the doctor or telling someone Ive got SA?? That might be a problem....

 

[Kiwong]

Would that involve going to the doctor or telling someone Ive got SA?? That might be a problem....

No, there are relaxation and breathing techniques readily available on the internet. I did see a therapist and she taught me breathing and muscle relaxation techniques that helped.

This link to Fact Sheet 6 has some useful info on breathing and muscle relaxation exercises.

beyondblue: the national depression initiative

 

[WeirdyMcGee]

I've always done this.
My friends would often make fun of me for 'forgetting to breathe'

It sounds pretty stupid when I put it that way, though...
'why are you gasping for air suddenly?'
"...uhh... I forgot to breathe." -__-
dur.

It's a problem I've always had when my anxiety is high around crowds of people. I tense up and hold my breath-- as if holding my breath would make me invisible or something... which is obviously doesn't but doing these things has become a habit that seems impossible to break. It's reflex, almost.

 

[LaurenG]

Yes!! I notice myself doing that sometimes, I dont mean to do it though..it's strange.

 

[Canis lupus]

I do that sometimes when I'm deeply burried in my thoughts. I'm just staring infront of me thinking about stuff untill I get that weird feeling in my chest you get when you haven't breathe in for a while. Then I snap out of it, most of the time forgetting what I was thinking about and feel short of breath for a few seconds. For me it's not so much holding my breath but forgetting to breathe in.

 

[JuiceB]

It use to happen to me when I was younger. These days I have the opposite effect. I will notice my breathing becoming more rapid with deep full breaths whenever my anxiety level is high. Either that or I'd lose my "breathing pattern" and would have to reset myself.