Hello to whoever is reading. If you can provide any insight to this it would be much appreciated. If it winds up being to long I apologize. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety years ago. I had my first panic attack in my late 20's early 30's. I'm 56 now. Rather than get into a bunch of history I'm trying to find out about this issue I've had for years. I know it's centered on anxiety but I'd like to see if anyone knows the mechanics or physiology of what is happening.
Throughout the day I can get deep satisfying breaths without effort. When I say deep I mean its the type of breath that fills up you upper lungs so that if you were singing you could hold a note for a minute. I can feel a small rise just below chest that somehow fills me with a great amount of air that fills my upper chest. It is such a good feeling that its hard for me to explain. After getting this deep breath I go about my day breathing normally until i choose to get the deep breath again.
However, when I can't get this breath it is beyond debilitating. I start trying to breathe in deeply but I can't get the feeling I described. Over and over again I try ..to the point of dry heaving because of taking in so much air. The uncomfortable feeling of not getting the deep breath is so consuming I feel like I'd rather pass out then to live with this feeling. As mentioned this has been going on for years but much more so now. I'm thinking about it all the time when not busy doing something. I wake up and no deep breath, shower no deep breath, car into work no deep breath then for some reason I'll get it out of no where and Im good until the next time. Most recently I've gone 12 and 18 hrs without getting it. Then I get it and Im back to normal.
My question is ...Is it my diaphragm that is restricting and/or allowing for this deep breath. What exactly is happening physiologically to me. What allow me to get it and then what prevents me. I know this is very odd sounding. I work in the mental health field and am quite familiar with anxiety in all its forms. However, I cant find the mechanics of what is going on internally that causes this. Any help? Thx.
Throughout the day I can get deep satisfying breaths without effort. When I say deep I mean its the type of breath that fills up you upper lungs so that if you were singing you could hold a note for a minute. I can feel a small rise just below chest that somehow fills me with a great amount of air that fills my upper chest. It is such a good feeling that its hard for me to explain. After getting this deep breath I go about my day breathing normally until i choose to get the deep breath again.
However, when I can't get this breath it is beyond debilitating. I start trying to breathe in deeply but I can't get the feeling I described. Over and over again I try ..to the point of dry heaving because of taking in so much air. The uncomfortable feeling of not getting the deep breath is so consuming I feel like I'd rather pass out then to live with this feeling. As mentioned this has been going on for years but much more so now. I'm thinking about it all the time when not busy doing something. I wake up and no deep breath, shower no deep breath, car into work no deep breath then for some reason I'll get it out of no where and Im good until the next time. Most recently I've gone 12 and 18 hrs without getting it. Then I get it and Im back to normal.
My question is ...Is it my diaphragm that is restricting and/or allowing for this deep breath. What exactly is happening physiologically to me. What allow me to get it and then what prevents me. I know this is very odd sounding. I work in the mental health field and am quite familiar with anxiety in all its forms. However, I cant find the mechanics of what is going on internally that causes this. Any help? Thx.