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Is this anxiety or breathing problems? Help please

Last week was hard for me cause I was experiencing something challenging.. with the news and being on lockdown/in doors and not having a routine etc I found myself focusing on my breathing for a week straight, when I focused on it, my breathing pattern would change which made me panic even more which lead to me having a severe panic attack on the Saturday. It was horrible. The whole experience was horrible! On that day I had to FaceTime a relative because I felt like it was never going to end and I just needed reassurance that everything was going to be okay. That week, I really struggled with eating, sleeping and doing things I enjoyed like listening to music and watching TV. On Sunday, I still had a similar feeling but wasn't as severe as it was during Monday-Saturday, I did still feel a bit panicky that I was still focusing on my breathing after what happened on the Saturday, I couldn't really do much to distract myself even though I was trying, by talking to others and watching TV, it was like this moment is never going to end and I'm trapped in the same pattern like I was the following days. Later on in the day/evening I found myself a bit calm and like my old self, back to normal. Then I slept great that night. Since Monday of this week, I've been feeling different and a-bit shaky, and still panicky. I think I'm having anxiety problems. I don't know what it is but all day I fear about death, I fear something is going to happen to me which has made me focus on my breathing - by constantly checking my heart rate and stomach and getting panicky when I feel/think it isn't going right. Like right now, I'm breathing silent. Before I was breathing quite loudly through my nose. I'm getting very worried about this and I don't know why I feel this way, but even though I'm watching TV and interacting with people I still feel this way, I have the anxiety problem. I'm so scared, I don't know what todo. Will this feeling ever go away because it's distracting me from doing normal things cause I'm there focusing on my breathing and having the same thoughts of something bad is going to happen to me. I feel if I don't focus on my breathing something is going to happen to me also. Is this normal and is this part of having anxiety? Please help me!
Reply 1
Original post by Anonymous
Last week was hard for me cause I was experiencing something challenging.. with the news and being on lockdown/in doors and not having a routine etc I found myself focusing on my breathing for a week straight, when I focused on it, my breathing pattern would change which made me panic even more which lead to me having a severe panic attack on the Saturday. It was horrible. The whole experience was horrible! On that day I had to FaceTime a relative because I felt like it was never going to end and I just needed reassurance that everything was going to be okay. That week, I really struggled with eating, sleeping and doing things I enjoyed like listening to music and watching TV. On Sunday, I still had a similar feeling but wasn't as severe as it was during Monday-Saturday, I did still feel a bit panicky that I was still focusing on my breathing after what happened on the Saturday, I couldn't really do much to distract myself even though I was trying, by talking to others and watching TV, it was like this moment is never going to end and I'm trapped in the same pattern like I was the following days. Later on in the day/evening I found myself a bit calm and like my old self, back to normal. Then I slept great that night. Since Monday of this week, I've been feeling different and a-bit shaky, and still panicky. I think I'm having anxiety problems. I don't know what it is but all day I fear about death, I fear something is going to happen to me which has made me focus on my breathing - by constantly checking my heart rate and stomach and getting panicky when I feel/think it isn't going right. Like right now, I'm breathing silent. Before I was breathing quite loudly through my nose. I'm getting very worried about this and I don't know why I feel this way, but even though I'm watching TV and interacting with people I still feel this way, I have the anxiety problem. I'm so scared, I don't know what todo. Will this feeling ever go away because it's distracting me from doing normal things cause I'm there focusing on my breathing and having the same thoughts of something bad is going to happen to me. I feel if I don't focus on my breathing something is going to happen to me also. Is this normal and is this part of having anxiety? Please help me!

sounds like anxiety mixed with a tiny bit of ocd - the " if I don't focus on my breathing something is going to happen to me" bit. however, i'm not a medical professional so there's no way to tell for sure. you should see your gp/book a telephone consultation (covid eh). it's unlikely to just "go away" on it's own. in the meantime, before you consult with a professional, google anxiety coping strategies and see if anything helps
Hi yes, that sounds like anxiety. I’m going to be brutally honest... I’ve had generalised anxiety disorder for 10 years and I do experience what you’re experiencing. Shortness of breath, constant fear something terrible will happen or a bad situation will progress into something that I can never get back from. Therapy hasn’t helped me, nothing has tbh. But maybe it will for you. Talk to a professional... and they will try to help you.
Reply 3
Original post by That Lesbian
Hi yes, that sounds like anxiety. I’m going to be brutally honest... I’ve had generalised anxiety disorder for 10 years and I do experience what you’re experiencing. Shortness of breath, constant fear something terrible will happen or a bad situation will progress into something that I can never get back from. Therapy hasn’t helped me, nothing has tbh. But maybe it will for you. Talk to a professional... and they will try to help you.

nothing? oh my. you need to try benzos. godsend for anxiety/panic attacks. they're a bit addictive tho so you need to be careful with them.
Reply 4
Original post by That Lesbian
Hi yes, that sounds like anxiety. I’m going to be brutally honest... I’ve had generalised anxiety disorder for 10 years and I do experience what you’re experiencing. Shortness of breath, constant fear something terrible will happen or a bad situation will progress into something that I can never get back from. Therapy hasn’t helped me, nothing has tbh. But maybe it will for you. Talk to a professional... and they will try to help you.


The constant fear of something bad will happen is what is getting to me. This came so sudden. The whole thing (panic attack & anxiety) I never thought I would experience this. May I ask, what is it like for you? (Anxiety & breathing problems). I might seek into therapy/professional advice and see what they might offer. I really want this feeling/thinking to just end but seeing it's long term has me frightened and I don't know how I can cope with it. As it's only been two days of feeling this way, I can't imagine how tough it has been for you- 10 years. I hope it gets better for you though!
Reply 5
Original post by Ciel.
sounds like anxiety mixed with a tiny bit of ocd - the " if I don't focus on my breathing something is going to happen to me" bit. however, i'm not a medical professional so there's no way to tell for sure. you should see your gp/book a telephone consultation (covid eh). it's unlikely to just "go away" on it's own. in the meantime, before you consult with a professional, google anxiety coping strategies and see if anything helps


I'll contact a doctor via phone and see what they may think.
Is it normal for this to come so abruptly? a relative of mine thinks it's due to my routine being dismissed. I no longer have a routine and I'm caked up in the house. Before all of this lock down etc, I was out shopping, going to places, going to uni, driving lessons etc. Since that's cut off, I am here. In square 1.
Original post by Anonymous
The constant fear of something bad will happen is what is getting to me. This came so sudden. The whole thing (panic attack & anxiety) I never thought I would experience this. May I ask, what is it like for you? (Anxiety & breathing problems). I might seek into therapy/professional advice and see what they might offer. I really want this feeling/thinking to just end but seeing it's long term has me frightened and I don't know how I can cope with it. As it's only been two days of feeling this way, I can't imagine how tough it has been for you- 10 years. I hope it gets better for you though!

I'm incredibly sorry to hear that. So the news has triggered this for you? That isn't uncommon. Hearing the current news right now can be very distressing and anxiety-inducing. For me, it's sharp intense chest pain that can last for days or weeks or even months. In 2016, I experienced it all year which resulted in me getting diagnosed with depression. What triggers is it is when people are mean to me or I hear bad news that impacts my life like I get fired for example. My mind just comes up with things even things from the past and I just give myself anxiety. Like I'm genuinely so sorry because this has ruined my life. And I really urge you to seek professional help before it disables you. I really hope you get better and I'm a complete stranger but I'm here for you.
(edited 3 years ago)
Reply 7
Original post by Anonymous
I'll contact a doctor via phone and see what they may think.
Is it normal for this to come so abruptly? a relative of mine thinks it's due to my routine being dismissed. I no longer have a routine and I'm caked up in the house. Before all of this lock down etc, I was out shopping, going to places, going to uni, driving lessons etc. Since that's cut off, I am here. In square 1.

it is actually. it's not uncommon to, for example, have a sudden panic attack in a shop for whatever reason, and then develop anxiety after that. the drastic change in your routine might have been the trigger.
Reply 8
Original post by That Lesbian
I'm incredibly sorry to hear that. So the news has triggered this for you? That isn't uncommon. Hearing the current news right now can be very distressing and anxiety-inducing. For me, it's sharp intense chest pain that can last for days or weeks or even months. In 2016, I experienced it all year which resulted in me getting diagnosed with depression. What triggers is it is when people are mean to me or I hear bad news that impacts my life like I get fired for example. My mind just comes up with things even things from the past and I just give myself anxiety. Like I'm genuinely so sorry because this has ruined my life. And I really urge you to seek professional help before it disables you. I really hope you get better and I'm a complete stranger but I'm here for you.


I think it's all of it combined (the news - being on lock down and self isolating, having no routine, and being in doors and not having anywhere to really go) because before all of this, I was going shopping, going to places with friends & family, going to uni, having driving lessons weekly etc and I don't have that anymore. The news has been overwhelming and I have avoided it by all means, I hate even seeing it on social media and on the TV and just quickly put something random on to avoid hearing and seeing about it.
I'm sorry you experience that, that is so annoying :frown:
But thanks for your advice/reassurance. I appreciate it. I really do. Feel at ease talking to someone who knows what I've going through to an extent. I don't know how to disclose this information to my family. I don't even know how to go about it. But may I ask . How can I seek professional help? Everywhere is closed? Do I just contact my local doctor? I don't know if I even have one in this city???
When I find a professional what do I tell them?
And what do you mean before it disables me? I'm scared.
Reply 9
Original post by Ciel.
it is actually. it's not uncommon to, for example, have a sudden panic attack in a shop for whatever reason, and then develop anxiety after that. the drastic change in your routine might have been the trigger.


Ugh this so annoying :/ I just hate how this has all happened. Do you know if this will be long or short term?
This feeling is so different and it just makes me so miserable knowing what's going through my mind and what I'm experiencing.
I’m so sorry you are feeling this way, suffering myself with extreme anxiety I know how you feel and this is such a tough time. It’s impossible for this to help but please know that this is on your head there’s no way of knowing if something bad will happen. I have personally had therapy for months and it worked for a while but when I ended therapy it got worse again. But I was able to take some breathing techniques and other tips from it so I would go to a professional, I’m not sure where you are but in the UK we have IAPT which is run on nhs and you can ring them up without seeing a doctor. You shouldn’t have to suffer please do seek help and i know I’m a stranger but I do understand and if you ever need anything please reach out. Hope it gets brighter soon.
Reply 11
Original post by Anonymous
Ugh this so annoying :/ I just hate how this has all happened. Do you know if this will be long or short term?
This feeling is so different and it just makes me so miserable knowing what's going through my mind and what I'm experiencing.

impossible to tell, everyone's different. it might go away once the covid situation stabilises. try not to obsess over it, i know it's hard but it's the worst thing you can do. see if your gp offers telephone consultations, and in the meantime find relaxing activities to do
Original post by Anonymous
I think it's all of it combined (the news - being on lock down and self isolating, having no routine, and being in doors and not having anywhere to really go) because before all of this, I was going shopping, going to places with friends & family, going to uni, having driving lessons weekly etc and I don't have that anymore. The news has been overwhelming and I have avoided it by all means, I hate even seeing it on social media and on the TV and just quickly put something random on to avoid hearing and seeing about it.
I'm sorry you experience that, that is so annoying :frown:
But thanks for your advice/reassurance. I appreciate it. I really do. Feel at ease talking to someone who knows what I've going through to an extent. I don't know how to disclose this information to my family. I don't even know how to go about it. But may I ask . How can I seek professional help? Everywhere is closed? Do I just contact my local doctor? I don't know if I even have one in this city???
When I find a professional what do I tell them?
And what do you mean before it disables me? I'm scared.

It's tough right now considering everything is closed. But, you could contact your local doctor and they can provide support. You tell them everything you've said on here like your symptoms and how this is concerning you.

Well because of my anxiety, I neglected everything. Couldn't study, couldn't socialise, couldn't take care of myself like at all. It's hard to focus and do things when you feel like you're dying. Sorry, I said I'd be brutally honest and that's the sad reality of MY situation. And I pray you don't experience how I felt.
Original post by Fresher1205
I’m so sorry you are feeling this way, suffering myself with extreme anxiety I know how you feel and this is such a tough time. It’s impossible for this to help but please know that this is on your head there’s no way of knowing if something bad will happen. I have personally had therapy for months and it worked for a while but when I ended therapy it got worse again. But I was able to take some breathing techniques and other tips from it so I would go to a professional, I’m not sure where you are but in the UK we have IAPT which is run on nhs and you can ring them up without seeing a doctor. You shouldn’t have to suffer please do seek help and i know I’m a stranger but I do understand and if you ever need anything please reach out. Hope it gets brighter soon.


Thanks so much for your reassurance.
So this fear / feeling / thinking about something bad is going to happen: death. Is all psychologically? It's all made up in my mind/head? - does this feeling ever fade away?
And what about my breathing. Me constantly checking my heart rate and stomach, I sometimes feel trapped when I'm breathing, and fear something is going to happen - will this fade away?
May I ask what happens during therapy?
I do live in the U.K. and will be sure to check that out- thanks so much.
I appreciate the advice, makes me know I'm not the only one even though it feels that way!
Original post by Ciel.
impossible to tell, everyone's different. it might go away once the covid situation stabilises. try not to obsess over it, i know it's hard but it's the worst thing you can do. see if your gp offers telephone consultations, and in the meantime find relaxing activities to do


Thanks! I'm just trying to be positive. That everything will be alright.

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