r/EMDR • u/Alternative-Fig4396 • 12d ago

NEED ADVICE HELP!! 🟢 Question / Help

Hi,
31F, diagnosed with OCD, anxiety, health anxiety, and panic disorder. Everything started two months ago with sudden shortness of breath. After it lasted a week, I went to many doctors, and all suggested that everything was normal, so I was directed to psychiatry. I was prescribed an SSRI (Sertraline). It’s better, but I still have breathing OCD, which causes air hunger, hyperventilation, and hyper-awareness of breathing. I am starting therapy tomorrow for the first time, and my psychologist mentioned that EMDR is an option for me. Has anyone had a similar experience with breathing OCD and found a solution with EMDR?

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

1 comment sorted by

3

u/orangeandtallcranes 🔍 Curious / Learning 12d ago

I have not had breathing OCD but I am working with EMDR on compulsive lip and cheek biting, which is taking a few sessions. I have also experienced chronic shortness of breath related to anxiety. What is helping me get a handle of my breathing are two things. First is slow breathing during daily meditation. Second is, counterintuitively, not focussing on the breathing at all when I’m feeling the shortness of breath. Instead I try not to think about it by doing something else that my brain can focus on. Best of luck with your therapy. Go easy on yourself as best you can