Anxiety Breathing Disorder

According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults age 18 and older.

Facts

Anxieties are very real physical reactions by our body; reactions generated by the brain and many not a real threat to the body. Anxiety can trigger breathing difficulties that cause a person to believe there is something physically wrong with them.

Symptoms

Tightness of chest, hyperventilating and shortness of breath are symptoms associated with anxiety breathing disorder. When an individual is not getting enough air, this causes an adrenaline rush from constant gasps for air and gives the feeling of lightheaded, dizzy or fear of fainting.

Treatment

Individuals suffering from anxiety breathing disorders can be treated with prescription anti-anxiety medication.

Risk

Although an individual may feel that he/she is suffocating or smothering, this is, actually a sensation caused by exaggerated nerve impulses, and will not stop breathing or pass out.

Awareness

It is important to be able to differentiate shortness of breath or tightness in the chest is truly symptoms of an anxiety breathing disorder attack rather symptoms of life-threatening dangers such as a heart attack, pneumonia or pulmonary embolism.

References

• Anxiety Disorders Association of America: Breathing Disorders

Resources

• Information on breathing problems
• Information on anxiety disorders