Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Do Hormones Released By The Body Circulate In The System And Create Anxiety?
Question: So we are down to understanding the issue of taking a deep breath. or not able to take a deep breath. I sat and read the copies of the 6 PFT tests I have taken. I first realized after that I took the first, fourth fifth and sixth after a bout of Panic because breathing was problematic. Tests 2 and 3 were follow up requests by dr. As I began, I was reading the tests and noted that the first was normal. the following had mild vent defect but overall unremarkable. The last 3 mentioned Asthma and bronchitis. No bronchitis symptoms but last weeks visit the dr mentioned possible Asthma. The conclusions reached should be simplimatic but I can only assume that in some way this stress and GAD is been going on so long that my body is on overload. Can the bodies release of hormones not only create physical sensations but when happening so often that they take longer to leave the body.
I started this thread talking of the understanding of my breathing issue. I need to relax and hope that the limitation is just after effects or over abundance of panic hormones or heaven forbid, the effects pf anxiety and asthma since anxiety amplifies asthma and asthma has a air trapping component.
I landed a used but great shape foot pedal for my bass today, so I will go sit in front of tv and try it out. just relax. Maybe just maybe, it can take my mind off the issue some and if i do it enough, it will eventually overcome the amount of issue so that I can knock it out.
I started this thread talking of the understanding of my breathing issue. I need to relax and hope that the limitation is just after effects or over abundance of panic hormones or heaven forbid, the effects pf anxiety and asthma since anxiety amplifies asthma and asthma has a air trapping component.
I landed a used but great shape foot pedal for my bass today, so I will go sit in front of tv and try it out. just relax. Maybe just maybe, it can take my mind off the issue some and if i do it enough, it will eventually overcome the amount of issue so that I can knock it out.
Brief Answer:
Private Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX welcome back.
Our understanding of exactly how anxiety works in the brain is not yet complete, but we have some good ideas. It's not related to hormones circulating in the system, as you suggest. It more of the fear circuit in the brain (involving regions such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and frontal cortex) being overactive and, through repetition, being "primed" to react too strongly, resulting in too much anxiety and panic attacks.
So the idea is not to get rid of hormones, but rather to retrain your brain to not be so overly sensitive. This is the purpose of CBT, utilizing your rational mind to tamp down on the overactive fear circuit. Distraction techniques such as using your awesome new foot pedal are great ways to train your brain to say, Hey, knock it off, nothing is wrong with my lungs, I'm perfectly okay.
To comment briefly on your concerns about asthma, I do not believe you have asthma. The FEV1 value on your PFTs is the most commonly used value to assess for asthma; in asthma this value is less than 80. Yours are all above 80, and in some cases even better than 100 (indicating better than normal function). I very much believe this is anxiety.
Dr. Sheppe
Private Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX welcome back.
Our understanding of exactly how anxiety works in the brain is not yet complete, but we have some good ideas. It's not related to hormones circulating in the system, as you suggest. It more of the fear circuit in the brain (involving regions such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and frontal cortex) being overactive and, through repetition, being "primed" to react too strongly, resulting in too much anxiety and panic attacks.
So the idea is not to get rid of hormones, but rather to retrain your brain to not be so overly sensitive. This is the purpose of CBT, utilizing your rational mind to tamp down on the overactive fear circuit. Distraction techniques such as using your awesome new foot pedal are great ways to train your brain to say, Hey, knock it off, nothing is wrong with my lungs, I'm perfectly okay.
To comment briefly on your concerns about asthma, I do not believe you have asthma. The FEV1 value on your PFTs is the most commonly used value to assess for asthma; in asthma this value is less than 80. Yours are all above 80, and in some cases even better than 100 (indicating better than normal function). I very much believe this is anxiety.
Dr. Sheppe
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
First, we are on unlimited plan here. If you don't mind, would like to test a thought. I was reading the plan specifics and saw the statement specialist unlimited questions. I wonder if we can keep a thread open unlimited text
Ok I've heard twice that prob not asthma. I've heard tha PFTs are ok. I've heard several times. It's not lung disease. I've heard several times. It's not copd.
Those are the "nots"
I have heard you are anxious. I've heard anxiety. I've heard the PFTs are normal but are of age/aging. I have been told of similarities of age related lung changes from a dr acquaintance. I knew there were changes with aging wasn't sure how much. If some of the symptoms of are present and the anxiety compounds it it makes me wonder.
CBT is the focus, I know I'm am overly sensitized I just have to figure out the cause of the limited inhaling. It's like a portion of my lung has more air trapped in it and keeping the lungs from filling its total capacity for inspiration. I also have my diaphragm getting pushed into by my stomach. If I can get free time today I would like to begin a slow walking program to lose weight and shrink stomach from pushing up
I will go into other things later on our next text
Ok I've heard twice that prob not asthma. I've heard tha PFTs are ok. I've heard several times. It's not lung disease. I've heard several times. It's not copd.
Those are the "nots"
I have heard you are anxious. I've heard anxiety. I've heard the PFTs are normal but are of age/aging. I have been told of similarities of age related lung changes from a dr acquaintance. I knew there were changes with aging wasn't sure how much. If some of the symptoms of are present and the anxiety compounds it it makes me wonder.
CBT is the focus, I know I'm am overly sensitized I just have to figure out the cause of the limited inhaling. It's like a portion of my lung has more air trapped in it and keeping the lungs from filling its total capacity for inspiration. I also have my diaphragm getting pushed into by my stomach. If I can get free time today I would like to begin a slow walking program to lose weight and shrink stomach from pushing up
I will go into other things later on our next text
Brief Answer:
Private Followup
Detailed Answer:
We can certainly try to see how much text we can squeeze in here!
To talk more about the limited inhaling, let me show you some websites where patients with anxiety/panic describe this feeling almost exactly as you describe it.
http://www.anxietycoach.com/breathingexercise.html
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=0000
http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/symptoms/breathing-difficulties
https://healthunlocked.com/anxietysupport/posts/0000/i-suffer-anxiety-but-most-days-get-a-tight-chest-unable-to-take-a-deep-breath-if-i-do-not-think-about-it-i-am-ok-does-anyone-else-suffer-it
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/anxiety/366606-why-cant-i-take-deep-breath.html
The list goes on and on. As you can see, many people with anxiety describe this sensation of not being able to take a full and complete breath, not being able to fill the total lung capacity. This is a symptom of anxiety.
The body does not need to fill the lungs completely to get enough oxygen. In fact, in normal health people, most of the top portion of the lung is collapsed, and only expands during heavy exercise! Unless you're turning blue, your body is getting all the oxygen it needs.
That said, losing weight and exercising will not hurt!
Dr. Sheppe
Private Followup
Detailed Answer:
We can certainly try to see how much text we can squeeze in here!
To talk more about the limited inhaling, let me show you some websites where patients with anxiety/panic describe this feeling almost exactly as you describe it.
http://www.anxietycoach.com/breathingexercise.html
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=0000
http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/symptoms/breathing-difficulties
https://healthunlocked.com/anxietysupport/posts/0000/i-suffer-anxiety-but-most-days-get-a-tight-chest-unable-to-take-a-deep-breath-if-i-do-not-think-about-it-i-am-ok-does-anyone-else-suffer-it
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/anxiety/366606-why-cant-i-take-deep-breath.html
The list goes on and on. As you can see, many people with anxiety describe this sensation of not being able to take a full and complete breath, not being able to fill the total lung capacity. This is a symptom of anxiety.
The body does not need to fill the lungs completely to get enough oxygen. In fact, in normal health people, most of the top portion of the lung is collapsed, and only expands during heavy exercise! Unless you're turning blue, your body is getting all the oxygen it needs.
That said, losing weight and exercising will not hurt!
Dr. Sheppe
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Well now, you have placed a lot to read. So in the meantime pretend this is an old etch a sketch and doodle away. Or help some more people
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Will do! Let me know your thoughts.
Dr. Sheppe
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Will do! Let me know your thoughts.
Dr. Sheppe
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
