The discomforts linked to social or family mandates can penetrate deep into our thoughts and cause serious problems in the development of daily life. Let's think about the following scenario: we are walking down the street and we stop to look with attention an advertising poster showing the image of a happy woman having a drink energetic. At that moment, for no apparent reason, we are awakened by all kinds of strange sensations in our respiratory system that makes us worry about the possibility of not being able to continue living with freedom. Despite the fact that it is a fictitious case, the truth is that these types of situations are common in many people with anxiety.
In this Psychology-Online article we explain how is shortness of breath due to anxiety and how to treat it.
First of all, it is important to detect the main cause that determines the lack of air. Given this, it is important to take into account that there may be organic factors that produce a inability to breathe normally, such as respiratory diseases caused by viruses and bacteria, For example.
In other cases, shortness of breath may be linked to high levels of anxiety about life situations. that produce excessive worries, related to both the present and the future of a person. This problem is perceived through the feeling that air is not entering the airways correctly to go to the lungs.
How to know if shortness of breath is due to anxiety? In order to detect the origin of shortness of breath due to anxiety and establish an adequate diagnosis, it is essential know the manifestations that can appear on the physical plane, as well as in the emotions and behaviors of each person.
Next, we show you the mainsymptoms shortness of breath due to anxiety:
- Chest tightness.
- Choking sensation.
- Catastrophic thoughts about death.
- tremors.
- Nausea, vomiting and, in some cases, dizziness.
- Distress.
- Shortness of breath.
- Muscle tension.
- excessive sweating
If these symptoms persist for a long time and make it impossible for the correct development of life daily, it is advisable to go to a mental health professional in order for the person to be evaluated and diagnosed.
While there is no single parameter for how long anxiety shortness of breath can last, typically these symptoms can last anywhere from a few minutes or hours to months. In this sense, it is necessary to understand that this criterion will be determined by severity level and the visible consequences in the person who suffers from this problem.
If you want to know more about this topic, you may also be interested in the article Types of anxiety and their symptoms.
How to eliminate the feeling of lack of air due to anxiety? Despite the difficulties that this clinical picture entails, there are currently available approaches that can contribute to the remission of the symptoms of anxiety. In the following items, we will talk about the treatments for shortness of breath due to anxiety:
psychological therapy
One of the most effective options to treat anxiety is psychological therapy. In general terms, the objective of psychotherapy consists of investigating the causes that have originated the symptoms and offer tools to cope with complex situations in a more enjoyable way. Within short-term therapies, it is possible to highlight the cognitive behavioral therapy, which works on the emotions, thoughts and behaviors related to the patient's problems.
On the other hand, the therapies of longer duration try to locate the origin of the symptoms so that the person can adopt other alternatives when resolving a situation conflictive. The best known and most effective long-term therapy is psychoanalysis.
psychiatric medication
In cases of considerable severity in which shortness of breath due to anxiety is revealed, another solution lies in the use of anxiolytics. These medicines can reduce the symptoms of anxiety through the modification of the neural connections that are carried out in the central nervous system.
However, it should be noted that the administration of psychiatric medications should always be done under the supervision of a mental health professional.
Natural medicine
Finally, among the treatments for shortness of breath due to anxiety, it is also possible to include some natural methods that can offer momentary relief. Among the best known are digestive teas, the visualization of positive situations or the writing of thoughts and emotions of the present, among others.
However, if after some time putting these remedies into practice the symptoms do not subside, it will be necessary to consider a medical consultation to rule out organic pathologies.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
