Do you ever feel like your anxiety is running the show? It’s common to experience panic in stressful or unfamiliar situations. For example, if you’re afraid of snakes, you might panic when you see one. This response is normal and your brain is simply trying to protect you from danger, but does anxiety cause shortness of breath?
Anxiety can cause or exacerbate scary and common shortness of breath. A number of people experience shortness of breath as a symptom of their anxiety. The cause may be due to changes in heart rate emanating from the fight or flight response initiated by anxiety. It is important to note that anxiety-induced shortness of breath usually dissipates on its own but may persist until the body feels relaxed again.
What isn’t normal is when those panic attacks become so frequent and intense that they interfere with your everyday life. That’s when we start talking about Anxiety Disorders. High levels of stress can trigger shortness of breath in people who are sensitive to these stimuli.
If you have anxiety and it has triggered an excess of stress hormones in your body, then it makes sense that this would cause shortness of breath as a secondary effect.
Read on to learn more about the connection between anxiety and shortness of breath, and what steps you can take to manage both challenges in your life more effectively…
Contents
Does anxiety cause shortness of breath?
Anxiety can cause or exacerbate scary and common shortness of breath. A number of people experience shortness of breath as a symptom of their anxiety. The cause may be due to changes in heart rate emanating from the fight or flight response initiated by anxiety. It is important to note that anxiety-induced shortness of breath usually dissipates on its own but may persist until the body feels relaxed again.
Shortness of breath or the feeling of being unable to catch your breath is a common symptom of anxiety. Sometimes, people with anxiety experience shortness of breath due to hyperventilation, which is rapid breathing that is caused by anxiety.
Hyperventilation is caused by the fight or flight mechanism that is activated during an anxious moment.
Hyperventilation can make you feel as if you are not getting enough air, and it can cause similar symptoms to an anxiety attack. Some people with anxiety experience shortness of breath even when they are resting, and this symptom is not caused by hyperventilation.
Anxiety may also cause other symptoms, such as sweating, trembling, nausea, and a racing heart, and these symptoms may add to the feeling that you are short of breath.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal human response to stressful or unfamiliar situations that causes some physical sensations, and occasionally some behavioral changes, in an attempt to protect us from potential danger or harm.
There are several different types of anxiety disorders, each with their own cause and symptoms. The most common types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
While the causes for each of these disorders are different, most people with anxiety disorders experience feelings of panic, worry, restlessness, and an increased state of alertness or arousal.
How does anxiety cause shortness of breath?
When you are feeling anxious, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode, which means that your sympathetic nervous system is activated. This response triggers the release of stress hormones into your bloodstream, including adrenaline and cortisol.
These hormones can cause shortness of breath as one of the physical symptoms of anxiety. Shortness of breath can also be triggered by hyperventilation, which is rapid and/or shallow breathing that is often a sign of anxiety.
Hyperventilation can cause similar symptoms to an anxiety attack, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, chest pain, and feelings of pressure or tightness in the chest.
Some people with anxiety experience shortness of breath even when they are resting, and this symptom is not caused by hyperventilation. For these people, shortness of breath may be an internal sensation or a feeling of constriction in the chest, which may be triggered by nervous system processes that are independent of breathing.
The Connection Between Anxiety And Breathing
When you’re feeling anxious, your breathing may become more rapid and shallow. This can eventually lead to hyperventilation, which is a reduction in the amount of CO2 in your blood, causing your blood pH to decrease leading to alkalosis.
If you have anxiety, it’s important to practice breathing exercises that will help your CO2 levels stay balanced. It’s also helpful to try to reduce your anxiety as much as possible so that your breathing returns to its normal rate.
If you’re experiencing anxiety and shortness of breath, it’s important to address both issues as soon as possible. Shortness of breath can be an extremely frightening symptom of anxiety, but with the right care, it can be treated.
Anxiety trouble breathing all-day
Some anxiety disorders are so intense that they interfere with daily life. The internal sensation of shortness of breath can be difficult to manage, especially if you’ve been experiencing it for a while.
While you may find some temporary relief in resting and slowing down, these are not long-term solutions. If shortness of breath is an ongoing issue for you, it’s important to get help. This may take the form of therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
If you suspect that your anxiety has become a problem and is causing shortness of breath, it’s important to seek treatment. Treatment can help you learn to control your anxiety so that it doesn’t control you.
Shortness of breath due to anxiety at night
Some anxiety disorders are triggered by external factors, such as a traumatic event, and some occur for no apparent reason. If you experience anxiety that has no specific cause, or if it’s triggered by long-term stress, it may cause shortness of breath at night as well as during the day.
Emotional or mental health is often associated with nighttime shortness of breath. This is because when you are anxious or stressed, the body initiates the fight-or-flight mechanism which leads to shortness of breath as a secondary feature.
Anxiety can be triggered by a variety of different internal or external factors. In many cases, the triggering factor is unknown. If you experience anxiety that has no specific cause, it’s important to understand that you’re not alone.
In fact, anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in the United States. And there are many effective treatments available.
Anxiety yawning and shortness of breath
While various anxiety symptoms may come and go, these will subside with time. If you experience shortness of breath along with other anxiety symptoms, but the shortness of breath is persistent, then you may have an anxiety disorder.
If you’re experiencing shortness of breath as a result of anxiety, you may also have other associated symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and tingling sensations in your limbs.
If you notice that you are experiencing shortness of breath along with other anxiety symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
How To Manage Shortness Of Breath When You’re Anxious
There are several ways to manage shortness of breath when you are anxious. Most of these methods works by relieving the anxiety itself thus helping calm down the anxiety symptoms such as shortness of breath. Some of the effective methods to recover are:
- Find a calming ritual – One way to reduce anxiety is to use a calming ritual before bed or in the middle of the day when you’re feeling anxious. This can help you stay in control of your anxiety in the moment, and it can also help you fall asleep at night when you’re feeling anxious.
- Practice controlled breathing – If you find yourself feeling short of breath due to anxiety, you can use controlled breathing to help yourself calm down again. Controlled breathing is a breathing exercise that can help you slow down your breathing rate and get back to a normal breath rhythm.
- Try a relaxation exercise – If you feel like your anxiety is overwhelming, you can also try doing a relaxation exercise. Relaxation exercises are designed to elicit a state of calm and relaxation. You can practice relaxation exercises anywhere, and they don’t require any special equipment.
- Limit caffeine intake – Some people find that anxiety makes them crave caffeine. If this sounds like you, you may want to avoid high caffeine drinks and foods like coffee, tea, and soda. Doing so may help you avoid anxiety attacks caused by high caffeine intake.
How to treat anxiety to manage shortness of breath
While we have described the methods to naturally calm down and get your breath back, you can also explore the other methods that your doctor can recommend for the management of anxiety. This is because, with proper management of anxiety, shortness of breath definitely does not occur. You can try medications, psychotherapy, and use of anxiety supplements.
See a Doctor when you suspect anxiety-induced shortness of breath
When you visit your doctor, they will want to know what your symptoms are, how long they’ve been occurring, and how they affect your day-to-day life. This may include specific questions about whether you are experiencing shortness of breath as a result of anxiety.
If you suspect that your anxiety has triggered shortness of breath, it’s important to consult a doctor. Anxiety disorders can cause significant distress, and they can also lead to long-term complications if they’re not adequately treated.
The sooner you seek treatment, the more likely it is that you will be able to manage your symptoms successfully.
Medications for anxiety to manage shortness of breath
Many people find that taking medication for anxiety is the most effective way to manage their symptoms. The doctor will use the diagnosis and the symptoms to explore the best medication for you. The doctor will recommend Fast Acting Medication for Panic Attacks or long-acting medication depending on the symptoms displayed.
There are numerous types of medication that can be used to treat anxiety, including anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, and/or beta-blockers.
For example, anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines, beta-blockers, and other anti-anxiety drugs are commonly prescribed for shortness of breath and other symptoms of anxiety. Depending on the medication, these may take a few days or a few weeks to have an effect.
Psychotherapy for anxiety treatment
When it comes to treating anxiety, psychotherapy is a common and highly effective treatment. Psychotherapy builds your skills and tolerance levels to the different stressors and stimuli for your anxiety through elongated periods of training and practice.
There are several types of psychotherapy that can be used to treat anxiety disorders, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy.
For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat anxiety and improve your ability to cope with anxiety-inducing situations.
This type of therapy encourages you to identify and change problematic thoughts and behaviors so that you can learn to respond to triggers in a healthier way.
Supplements for anxiety treatment
There are a few supplements that can be useful in treating anxiety, including B vitamins, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. For example, B vitamins are essential for healthy mental health and can be an effective treatment for anxiety.
Magnesium is another vitamin that can be helpful for anxiety, as well as for sleep. Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly used to treat anxiety and help reduce levels of stress hormones in the body.
Supplements are great because they do not alter the brain chemicals as compared to medications. However, the effectiveness of various supplements for anxiety treatment has never been proven.
Short-term coping and Long term coping with anxiety shortness of breath
For short-term coping: Educate yourself about anxiety and its symptoms, where it comes from, and what it looks like. Anxiety is not uncommon, and as you learn more about it you will realize that you are not alone.
You will be able to identify and learn strategies to cope with symptoms and triggers. For long-term coping you can use some of the following methods:
- Professional help: If you have anxiety, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. A therapist can help you to understand your anxiety and develop coping skills to manage your symptoms.
- Self-help: There are many different self-help techniques that can help you to manage your anxiety. These can range from meditation and visualization techniques to more physically-based techniques such as yoga.
- Educating yourself: The more you learn about anxiety, the better equipped you are to recognize and manage the symptoms. Moreover, you are able to know the stimuli and mitigate against its effects early.
Are You Short of Breath from Anxiety?
If you have anxiety, you’ve probably already been experiencing the physical symptoms of anxiety for quite some time. For example, anxiety can cause your hands to shake uncontrollably, your heart to race, and you can even get dizzy.
If you’re having trouble catching your breath, this could also be a symptom of anxiety. When your body is under stress, it’s natural to have a difficult time catching your breath.
This is because the stress response has been activated and your body is busy trying to protect you from danger. But when you’re having trouble breathing on a day-to-day basis, even when you’re in a calm environment, it could be a sign that your anxiety has progressed to an Anxiety Disorder.
How to tell if shortness of breath is from anxiety
If you suspect that you are experiencing shortness of breath as a result of anxiety, you may also notice that you are sweating, feel irritable/ wound up, and/or have an increased heart rate. These symptoms can help you rule out other causes of shortness of breath.
If you notice that you are experiencing shortness of breath, it’s important to seek help. Anxiety disorders can be extremely challenging to manage, and they can have long-term negative effects on your life if anxiety is left untreated.
When we are anxious, it is normal to experience shortness of breath, as well as other symptoms. Anxiety is a common mental health condition, which can be challenging. It can trigger feelings of shortness of breath and other symptoms, including sweating, increased heart rate, and feeling irritable. There are a variety of ways to treat anxiety, including medications, psychotherapy, and self-help techniques.
Conclusion
Shortness of breath is a very common symptom of anxiety and can be very frightening, but there are lots of ways to manage it. If you’re experiencing anxiety, it’s important to try to address both issues as soon as possible.
However, when these persist and interfere with your daily functioning, you may need to seek help. There are many different medications, psychotherapies, and self-help techniques that can be useful in treating anxiety.
Managing your anxiety can help you feel less overwhelmed and more in control. With the right care, shortness of breath caused by anxiety can be treated, and it can be helpful to understand the connection between anxiety and breathing in order to better cope with this symptom.
Citations:
https://www.healthline.com/health/shortness-of-breath-anxiety
