Are you struggling with feeling short of breath? Are you wondering how to tell if shortness of breath is from anxiety?
Feelings of anxiety may cause you to experience shortness of breath, in addition to feelings of nervousness, irritability, or excessive worry. Shortness of breath is a common symptom of anxiety.
Difficulty breathing is the body’s natural response to dealing with anxiety and stress and typically subsides once the anxiety goes away.
If you are experiencing shortness of breath from anxiety, read more to find out the other physical symptoms of anxiety and treatment options available.
Anxiety Symptoms
Symptoms of anxiety causes both physical and emotional symptoms. Shortness of breath is one of the common physical symptoms of anxiety.
If you are experiencing Anxiety-related shortness of breath in California, Dr. Alex Anastasiou offers professional anxiety assessments and treatment in California. To schedule a new patient appointment, please contact his office by phone at 925-425-0191 during business hours, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
When you are experiencing anxiety, you may feel many physical symptoms of anxiety. Feeling both the emotional stress as well as the physical symptoms of anxiety can become a vicious cycle. When you focus on your reactions to the physical symptoms of anxiety, this can heighten your anxiety and sense of stress.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath can feel like an intense tightening in the chest, breathlessness, or feelings of suffocation. This can cause difficulty breathing or rapid breathing.
Increased Heart Rate
A faster heart rate can be the result of experiencing anxiety.
Chest Pain and Chest Tightness
When you are anxious, your body releases a surge of adrenaline and cortisol that can cause a rise in heart rate, blood pressure, and feelings of chest pain.
Headaches
Headaches can be triggered by anxiety and can feel like a sharp and intense throbbing pain.
Upset Stomach
The hormones released when our body is stressed releases a surge of hormones and neurotransmitters that can negatively affect your gut and cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Nausea
Nausea is one of the ways your body reacts to fear and stress.
Shakiness
When you are anxious, your body’s muscles become more tense as you react to your environmental stressors.
Is it Anxiety-Induced Shortness of Breath?
If you are experiencing shortness of breath, how do you know if it is actually caused by anxiety and not something else?
During situations perceived as stressful or frightening, the body initiates an automatic physiological reaction called the fight or flight response. Breathing becomes quicker and shallower because quicker breathing takes in more oxygen to power your muscles. This is all part of the fight or flight response to make the body more equipped to be able to fight or run away from the perceived threat. The sympathetic nervous system is activated and there is a chain reaction of symptoms, including anxiety-related shortness of breath.
If you have typical anxiety, removing the stressor generally causes the anxiety to go away. This means that once the perceived environmental danger has been removed and your body starts to calm down, your shortness of breath should start to go away. This is how you know it was anxiety-induced shortness of breath.
Anxiety disorders, such as Panic Disorder, can result when a problem becomes overwhelming or unmanageable. In the case of anxiety disorders, removing the stressor doesn’t always cause the stress to be removed.
Other types of anxiety disorders include:
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Phobias
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
Treatment Options for Anxiety-Induced Shortness of Breath
If you are experiencing rapid breathing and anxiety, here are the recommended treatment options.
Relaxation Techniques
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, also known as CBT, can help with the sensation of breathlessness by practicing breathing techniques and other relaxation skills. This will make you better equipped to deal with shortness of breath the next time you are anxious.
Getting Regular Exercise
By getting 30 minutes or more of exercise about 3 to 5 days a week, your body will see benefits such as improved sleep, improved mood, and reduced anxiety.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation helps break the cycle of tense muscles and stress by slowing your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Breathing Techniques
- Monitor Your Breathing Patterns
- Diaphragmatic Breathing
- Deep breathing exercises
Medication
If you need to take medication to help with your anxiety, the medication of choice is usually anti-anxiety medication. Consult a psychiatrist for medical care.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are commonly prescribed for those who experience shortness of breath from anxiety.
When to Contact a Mental Health Professional
Get an Accurate Diagnosis Today
If you are experiencing Anxiety-related shortness of breath in California, Dr. Alex Anastasiou offers professional anxiety assessments and treatment in California. To schedule a new patient appointment, please contact his office by phone at 925-425-0191 during business hours, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Professional Anxiety Assessment in California
To seek assessment and treatment for severe anxiety in California, contact Dr. Alex Anastasiou, a renowned psychiatrist based in California. To schedule a new patient appointment, please call 925-425-0191.
Assessment of anxiety is based on a multitude of factors, including self-reporting, clinical interviews, and behavioral observation. Through this methodology, mental health professionals can deduce whether a patient is experiencing a form of anxiety, and if so, they may propose a treatment plan.
First-line treatments of anxiety include different types of medications and therapy, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
When looking to treat anxiety long-term, clinical management and monitoring are typically required, as patients are prone to relapse following discontinuation of acute treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Tell if Shortness of Breath Is From Anxiety
How do I get rid of shortness of breath from anxiety?
Shortness of breath from anxiety can be relieved by slowing your breathing and deep breathing techniques.
Does anxiety cause shortness of breath every day?
You will likely not have shortness of breath daily, even if you are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
How do I know if my shortness of breath is heart-related?
Your shortness of breath may be heart-related if it does not resolve after the stressor has been removed. If you are having trouble breathing shortly after or during exercise, contact your healthcare provider.
How to tell if shortness of breath is from anxiety or asthma?
Shortness of breath from anxiety typically does not involve making the wheezing or whistling sounds associated with asthma.
Is my shortness of breath an anxiety attack or Coronavirus?
If you are having an anxiety attack and experience shortness of breath, your breathing should return to normal after the anxiety and stressor has diminished.
Other Possible Health Conditions or Medical Conditions
While shortness of breath is commonly associated with anxiety, it can also be a symptom of severe medical problems, such as those listed below. If anxiety is the cause of your shortness of breath, you should regain normal breathing once the stressor has been removed and you’ve calmed down.
If you feel like you are not getting enough air after your stressor has been removed, you may be experiencing a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Here are some possible health issues that cause severe shortness of breath that may require a chest x-ray or additional medical care at a healthcare facility:
- Heart Attack, Heart Failure, or other Heart Problems
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Lung Disease or other Lung Conditions
- Pulmonary Embolism
Final Thoughts on How to Tell if Shortness of Breath Is From Anxiety
How to tell if shortness of breath is from anxiety?
Hopefully, this post answered all your questions related to this topic!
Shortness of breath from anxiety is a frightening experience if you aren’t aware of how common it is. Anxiety can produce many physical symptoms in addition to worrying, nervousness, difficulty concentrating, and more.
If you found this post helpful, check out these other related posts about Anxiety:
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