For some background, I'm a nervy person with a lot of tics, such as clicking fingernails, cough, and other behaviors caused by nerves.
I probably have some form of anxiety and need treatment for it, but that's another post. Anywho, when I was in high school and my nerves kicked in I developed a nervous cough. I would do it whenever my nerves got high and my heartrate sped up because I foolishly thought it would slow it back down. It became a habit and I still have it today even though I know it's not helping at all.
For an example, whenever I get really excited I usually going into a coughing fit out of habit because of it, but it's normally dry and harmless. A few weeks ago though, from what I remember, I was having a similar thing occur but this time I did it way too hard and it was a rough cough rather than the light cough (usually a high pitched wheeze was it) I was having. After that the habit became worse and I started coughing up a lot more phlegm (greenish yellow) and felt clogged up.
It's taken a while but I've finally 'beaten' the problem for the most part, but I'm still occasionally coughing up the chunks of phlegm. Do you all think this is just remainders from the coughing fit before or should I have it checked?
I shoudl also mention my speaking voice turned rather nasal last week as well but I have no symptoms of sickness.
It sounds as though you had a viral infection -- possibly sinus and chest virus. I have the same thing, but upper chest/throat area of laryngitis. I tried to clear it up on my own, but had to go to the doctor and get meds.
I know the habit of coughing you are talking about...you can eventually break it. It's a physical reaction to thoughts and emotions you are having in a specific situation -- a defense mechanism that helps to lessen the anxiety.
Interesting....one can easily tell when a person is nervous in a situation by the coughing he or she does. I tend to get a bit dry mouthed and the saliva gets thicker and I find I'm clearing my throat a lot...but worse in stressful situation. And, the more I do it, the more it irritates, and the clearing gets worse to coughing. Not long drawn out coughs...just clearing ones.
I have anxiety, and I've taken cognitive behavioural therapy to deal with it. There are some good books..one that I have which is a workbook is "MIND OVER MOOD: Changing the Way You Feel by Changing the Way You Think.
There is also aversion therapy.....just keep an elastic band on your wrist...and every time you cough, give it a snap. Eventually, your brain will click in BEFORE you cough and it will then become conscious rather than subconscious.
While the mind and body's actions and reactions are a great subject to research...it's somewhat difficult to do the process to stop offending behaviours.
It seems you have a good insight...I'm sure if you brought it to the forefront of thought, you'd have it beat in no time.
Remember, there are people who study body language, even make decisions on what people do with their bodies subconsciously. Maybe if you did some research on neurolinguistic programming (which sales people are really big on), or learning what body language means...you may decide to make changes.
I love the research of stuff, and I do tend to also do it to ease my anxiety. But, it's best to do it "just because it's interesting".
Oh, relaxation exercises, breathing exercises, pilates and yoga will probably help you A LOT! Look into it to see if you think it could help.
It sounds as though you had a viral infection -- possibly sinus and chest virus. I have the same thing, but upper chest/throat area of laryngitis. I tried to clear it up on my own, but had to go to the doctor and get meds.
I know the habit of coughing you are talking about...you can eventually break it. It's a physical reaction to thoughts and emotions you are having in a specific situation -- a defense mechanism that helps to lessen the anxiety.
Interesting....one can easily tell when a person is nervous in a situation by the coughing he or she does. I tend to get a bit dry mouthed and the saliva gets thicker and I find I'm clearing my throat a lot...but worse in stressful situation. And, the more I do it, the more it irritates, and the clearing gets worse to coughing. Not long drawn out coughs...just clearing ones.
I have anxiety, and I've taken cognitive behavioural therapy to deal with it. There are some good books..one that I have which is a workbook is "MIND OVER MOOD: Changing the Way You Feel by Changing the Way You Think.
There is also aversion therapy.....just keep an elastic band on your wrist...and every time you cough, give it a snap. Eventually, your brain will click in BEFORE you cough and it will then become conscious rather than subconscious.
While the mind and body's actions and reactions are a great subject to research...it's somewhat difficult to do the process to stop offending behaviours.
It seems you have a good insight...I'm sure if you brought it to the forefront of thought, you'd have it beat in no time.
Remember, there are people who study body language, even make decisions on what people do with their bodies subconsciously. Maybe if you did some research on neurolinguistic programming (which sales people are really big on), or learning what body language means...you may decide to make changes.
I love the research of stuff, and I do tend to also do it to ease my anxiety. But, it's best to do it "just because it's interesting".
Oh, relaxation exercises, breathing exercises, pilates and yoga will probably help you A LOT! Look into it to see if you think it could help.
Get well soon,
quincy
Thanks for a well thoughtout response. I may have had something and not known it
The cough is dead. I haven't been doing it for 3 days The mild hack I do as a habit is fading a bit too...so that's good.
You have very good insight into psychology/cognitive behavior. I'm pursing my BA in Psychology (one more semester to go) so I'm always interested in such topics!
