I am a 18 year old female who has never
really delt with anxiety before. I am not
particularly stressed about anything and I
don't believe I have any of the "typical"
symptoms of anxiety. However for the past
MONTH I have constantly not been able to
breathe. I feel a tightness in my chest
and feel like I can't catch a deep breath.
When I finally do, it immediatley begins
to feel like I need another deep breath
because I constantly feel out of air.
Sometimes sitting up can help, and when I
lay down the symptoms are the worst. Has
anyone experienced this? I have tried
albuterol and other asthma and allergy
medications and none seem to work. The
doctor says my breathing sounds fine and
doesn't offer much explination. I have
begun to think it is anxiety although at
the moment the only thing I am anxious
about is my breathing. Could I have
anxiety and no know about it? If you think
this is the case, what would you
recommend. I desperately want to get rid
of this. It keeps me awake at night and I
feel like I never have any relief. Thanks!
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CarolDiane
Moderator
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2221 Location: Finally a picture to a name,
Thanks: 87
Thanked:122
Posted: 05-11-08 10:21am
Hi Steph,
I think you have answered you own question
hon. Yes, an anxiety attack can bring on a
change in breathing patterns and visa
versa. Your probably already to the point
that you worry about your breathing and it
in itself brings on a panic attack which
makes the breathing even worsen. IMHO, the
best thing to do is to be clear cut with
your doctor and tell him/her that you
think you have an anxiety disorder and
give the sytoms and reason why you feel
that you might. You might just need a
little relaxer or non-narcotic sleeping
pill. I would surly ask though.
CD
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opeth
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 3 Location: ,
Thanks: 1
Thanked:0
Posted: 05-14-08 15:35pm
Steph: I know what you mean. My biggest
difficulty was breathing too. However, in
my case it felt like I was being choked.
Like my airway was being cut off somehow.
I know now that it was all in my head. A
false symptom brought on by my anxiety and
panic disorder. Like CarolDiane said, you
begin to anticipate your breathing
difficulty and that makes it snowball even
worse. Once you recognize it for what it
is - a false alarm - you can begin to
focus your thoughts elsewhere and get
through it OK.
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This page was last updated on June 11, 2008
