Anxiety and Tight Throat.

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hello everyone, I've been having really bad episodes of a "tight throat" lately and it always sends me to a panic attack where I start to feel like I can't breathe. I noticed today I was close to the refrigerators at the supermarket and that's when it got worse and another day I got the symptoms soon as I ate ice cream. So I am pretty sure that it gets activated by the cold. I had the same problem a few months back but everything went to normal eventually, only to return now. 

Has anybody else experianced anything similar? 

I want to see a ENT doctor just to make sure that everything is alright with my throat but last time I was there he told me that I would need to do a endoscopy exam and that he feared this would be hard for me because of my panic and he didn't want my visit to be a nightmare. Therefore I never did the test. This worries me because I also have a slight whistling sound when I breathe in and out when I am in bed ever since I got the flu last December.

Is there another test I can run to check up my throat tightness? It would be really reassuring to know my throat is ok so I can try to control these symptoms. 

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    I had a lump in the throat feeling,and had it checked by ent - all fine. It's very common with anxiety in general,try to not let it become an obsession,it'll pass in time
    • Posted

      Hi and thank you. May I ask what kind of tests your ent ran on you?
    • Posted

      It's a small tube up the nose which views the nose and throat. It's not as horrible as it sounds, can hardly feel it really,only takes about 10 seconds
    • Posted

      But what if I was unable to complete that test because my panic kicked in. What tests are there I can do? sad
    • Posted

      If they feel they need to do that test to be sure,which they do- I'm afraid there are no others. I know how u feel,I was really panicing about it,but they do it all day every day,it doesn't hurt, it tickles very slightly,if I can do it anyone can,I've had it done twice and really it was nothing
    • Posted

      My problem is that they numb the area. This will immediately make me feel like I can't breathe and send me to a panic attack. 
    • Posted

      They only numb the area if you ask them to,they didnt for me and I didnt need it,it really is allo over too quickly
    • Posted

      Guess I'm gonna have to take that extra anxiety pill and go in hoping for the best. I mean, even if I panic it wont kill me.. haha
    • Posted

      It's honestly not worth the worry, and its sure to come back fine. I still feel a lump in my throat for most of the day I know there's nothing there but I still feel it
    • Posted

      My main concern is that cold environment and/or food and drinks make it worse. That's what worries me that it might actually be something other then anxiety. 
    • Posted

      Temperature does affect the globus sensation as your throat constricts, it does for everyone, its just with anxiety we focus on it too much
    • Posted

      I see. Well that is definitely good to hear. I am going to see my psychiatrist tomorrow and be sure to bring it up too and see what he thinks. Ty so much for your help!

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