Any tips on how to stop yourself hyperventilating?

BeautyFromPain
BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,951 Member
edited December 2024 in Chit-Chat
Anyone?

Replies

  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
    Try to concentrate on breathing deeply, and slowly. Deep breaths through your mouth or nose (whichever you find more comfortable), exhaling steadily. Perhaps close your eyes or hold on to something. Think relaxing thoughts and consciously try to calm down. I find stopping whatever I'm doing anc curling into the fetal position helps.
  • BeautyFromPain
    BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,951 Member
    forgot to add that i have PTSD...
  • autumnk921
    autumnk921 Posts: 1,374 Member
    I put this as a comment to you as well:

    I know this isn't for everyone but it's what I did when I had such a hard time with PTSD, anxiety issues, etc.


    My doctor had me on xanax years ago when I first started having them...Anything to relax your thought process and that is what worked for me then...Talk to a therapist and get some meds...I know that some don't like to do that and you have been off for a year but sometimes we can't do it alone....You have proved that you can but right now you need the extra help....You don't have to take it forever just as an as needed med...After a while of taking them I only needed them on occasion after that and really it just helped me to KNOW that I had something to help me if/when I needed it....Eventually I realized I didn't need them anymore...I hope this helps you some. :)
  • obrendao
    obrendao Posts: 318 Member
    Just a quick note:

    IF you actually DO end up hyperventilating, try to get yourself to a place with calm lighting and minimal distractions. Then you can do a couple things:

    1) Sit with your head between your knees.
    2) Breathe into a paper bag.

    Concentrate on slow breaths, but NOT deep. Deep breaths will only increase your O2 and when you hyperventilate you have TOO MUCH O2.

    The paper bag and the sitting position both counter the high O2 levels by helping you retain CO2. This will bring you back into balance with your gases and pH.
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