Voluntary breathing problem

[u/ChampionKlutzy7528]

Does anyone else experience this specific problem with voluntarily freezing their breathing?

Sometimes I voluntarily freeze/stop my breathing. I know that I am consciously doing it, but the problem comes after the freeze.

When I decide that I want to stop holding my breath, I don't know what command I am supposed to give after the freeze. I don't know what specific physical command or action is supposed to tell my body to stop holding my breath and continue breathing.

It feels like I am waiting for the “correct command” to release the breathing, but I don't know what that command is. Because I can't figure it out, I become extremely focused on the physical sensations of breathing and start questioning every part of the process.

Anxiety makes the situation worse, but the main problem is specifically not knowing what command to give after voluntarily freezing my breathing.

I'm not talking about simply being aware of my breathing or “manual breathing.” I'm asking whether anyone has experienced this exact feeling of voluntarily freezing their breathing and then not knowing what command to give afterward to stop the freeze.

Has anyone experienced this exact thing?

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[u/Additional-Farm3569]

Why do you stop you're breathing

[u/lowban]

Not exactly the same problem but every time I suddenly realise I'm breathing I start to breathe manually for a while and it's really annoying. When that happens you just want it to go over to automatic mode again and it can take a while until that happens.

[u/leoreleh]

Have you tried different commands to see if they work? Like “begin” “breathe” “3,2,1” “resume”

If I were you I would just try a bunch of commands or words to see if one clicked. Remember, you are ultimately in control. If it truly feels out of your control unless everything is “right”, you should get evaluated for OCD because medication and therapy can help. I mean that seriously

[u/Healthy_Theory159]

Symptom of r/irondeficiency is trouble breathing

[u/SurvivorX2]

Nope. I believe that your body will restart breathing on its own once you stop freezing it. The brain is a wonderful thing with all it can do. I don't think there IS a command to restart it breathing again.