What can you do when you are anxious and deep breathing won't help?

Question

It's like I am just waiting for somehting bad to happen.

I can't mediate and deep breathing doesn't calm me.

Any ideas?

I am under treatment.

I choose not to take medication but I think it may be a bad choice.

Answer 1

first of all stop and tell yourself everything is ok, and know that it is just your anxiety, and it will pass. You are not going to die and nothing bad is going to happen. just believe and you will calm yourself down, you are in control so take control and stop the anxiety before it stops you

Answer 2

I had the same thing happen to me when I was going thru a real stressful time at work. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling exactly how you described. It took such a long time to calm down. I decided one night as I was sitting on the bathroom floor waiting to die, that it would be ok and I was ready to go. As soon as I accepted I was dying the whole thing went away. I had this happen two times in my life for a few weeks each time and it was both when I was in a bad work situation.
You might try a couple of things - one is to work on focusing on one thing and do very slow breathing - deep yet really slow and count the breaths. two - you can get your focus on something else entirely - like thinking about a math problem, or do a task that makes you think - work on a jigsaw puzzle - anything to get your mind off your breathing.
My heart goes out to you, that kind of anxiety is miserable. You might try to resolve some stressful times in your life.
Best of luck!

Answer 3

I know this is a difficult one.
If you are trying to meditate, it is important not to try to change anything, but simply to sit with compassion for the anxiety.
Try to accept the feeling of fear, as your body is trying to tell you something.
You may need a witness to your fear. If there is noone in your life you can truly open up to, then maybe you can find someone from memory, or simply imagine a person who can witness your fear and remain in a state of peace.
Please have faith that there IS a place of peace within you, as there is within every living creature.
My thoughts are with you.

Answer 4

Go outside and get a breath of fresh air....dont breathe too deep because you will get light headed. Go outside and go for a walk to get the energy out.... get to moving exercise gets blood to the brain, and you'll be able to think clearer.

Answer 5

Have you tried breathing into a paper bag? That helps me. Also, drinking warm water helps me. Good luck. Anxiety and panic attacks are horrible to go through.

Answer 6

Calm down! I know that feeling. I was SO scared going it to a fight when I was 20. I was petrified I went, I survived. What ever you face, the rejection isn't deadly. What is going to happen? Someone going to tell you “no”? So what! Their loss!

Answer 7

try to get busy, walking etc. the more you dwell on it, the worse it gets. You can try visual imaging, but if you are really uptight it is hard to close your eyes and form images. I find that exercise or walking is best until you calm down

Answer 8

it helps me if I put my hand just below my belly button. Concentrate on that part of my body as I breathe. Just a suggestion

Answer 9

i have clinical depression,anxiety and panic disorder.here what u do buy some beer.all your symptoms will disappear.sure its only a temporary treatment but so are pills if u stop taking them so have fun and enjoy life once again.

Answer 10

you are hyper ventilating. get small paper lunch bag and breathe in it trying not to let more air in or out