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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Difficulty Breathing In A Person With Anxiety?

Hi. I have a history of anxiety and the way it got diagnosed is I go through periods where I constantly feel like I'm having trouble breathing. It just feels like I'm breathing through a straw that has a hole in it and I'm not getting all the air. This caused a panic attack and I got put on medication. Well, about a year ago, I came off the medication because I thought I was fine. Just now this breathing thing started again like last week. Today has been the worst. I don't feel anxious. Could this really just be anxiety?
Fri, 19 Dec 2014
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OBGYN,  's  Response
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
You have been diagnosed with panic disorder in past. Now again you are having your breathing problems which were initially considered to be a part of anxiety disorder.
I think you are having a relapse of panic disorder.
For treatment you should practice relaxation exercises like deep breathing and meditation. Biofeedback therapy under a psychologist's guidence can also prove useful.
If you still have doubts, you can go for pulmonary function tests to test lung function and check for any breathing disorder.

Hope this helps you.
Thanks.
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Psychologist,  Dr. K. V. Anand's  Response
Dear
Welcome to HCM
We understand your concerns

I went through your details. I suggest you not to worry much. You are right. It is not anxiety but can be called as obsession. You had that disturbing sensation once. You expected it to happen again and focused. Then you started experiencing it as you were expecting it. Then your body brought the familiar symptom because you are expecting it. Then you started worrying that the symptom is coming again and again and expect it. Body brings it again as you are expecting it. You become worried and so on. That is obsession in simple terms. Ignore it and the problem vanishes.

Psychotherapy techniques should suit your requirement. If you require more of my help in this aspect, Please post a direct question to me in this URL. http://goo.gl/aYW2pR. Make sure that you include every minute details possible. I shall prescribe the needed psychotherapy techniques.

Hope this answers your query. Available for further clarifications.
Good luck.
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What Causes Difficulty Breathing In A Person With Anxiety?

Hello Welcome to HCM. You have been diagnosed with panic disorder in past. Now again you are having your breathing problems which were initially considered to be a part of anxiety disorder. I think you are having a relapse of panic disorder. For treatment you should practice relaxation exercises like deep breathing and meditation. Biofeedback therapy under a psychologist s guidence can also prove useful. If you still have doubts, you can go for pulmonary function tests to test lung function and check for any breathing disorder. Hope this helps you. Thanks.