Trouble inhaling??

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi there,

I have been having breathing problems for a month now, likely due to anxiety. I read a lot about shortness of breath or breathlessness due to anxiety. But does anyone have trouble inhaling due to anxiety?? Like you use a lot of effort to inhale. And sometimes the inhale gets stuck in the throat or chest, and doesn't feel complete? I work so hard to inhale, that my ribs and diaphragm muscle hurt and feel tired. Anyone else out there feel like this??

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    I have had that problem for many years but what has really helped me is learning how to properly breathe with anxiety.

    Now I don’t feel like I have any shortness of breath and I don’t use a lot of effort to inhale. Anxiety really messes up the breathing process.

    I got a lot of relief from short exercises for breathing with anxiety. I found them on YouTube. it makes a huge difference because there’s a big connection between the brain and the respiratory system. when the brain is anxious it affects the breathing.just search YouTube for breathing exercises for anxiety. There’s quite a few on there. Take care

    • Posted

      thank you!!! so nice to hear someone else who had the same thing, and recovered. I will try what you suggested 😃

  • Posted

    yes this has been happening to me frequently 😦

    • Posted

      thanks for sharing! how long has this been happening to you? has anything helped?

  • Edited

    I'm going through this right now, it feels like I'm not getting enough air into my lungs when this happens, which causes me to panic more when I feel like this. I just went to the doctor's yesterday for a blood test to see how my health is doing. I've been battling with severe anxiety for 10 years now and I still have negative thoughts each day that something could be physically wrong with me, even though I'm mostly fine. I'm usually stressing about my health over minor problems. It's so crazy how powerful the mind can be. Usually I find myself feeling breathless, I would try watching some breathing exercise videos or meditation videos on YT. And it actually works wonders for me pretty well. I would definitely recommend that for you to try. Hope you take care.

    • Edited

      thank you @shanny! Sorry you are going through the same thing - it's really awful! How long have you had this issue for? I meditate, but find that it doesn't help. But I will try some breathing exercises from youtube.

    • Posted

      It happens pretty constantly and seems to get worse randomly when I'm getting ready for bed at the end of the night. I'm pretty used to feeling breathless and just accept my symptoms are mostly anxiety related, since I recently went to see my doctor and he checked my lungs and my heart rate is just fine. And no problem! Definitely try out the breathing exercises and see how it goes for you. Hope it works!

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