How to Tell if Shortness of Breath Is From Anxiety

Did you know anxiety can lead to shortness of breath? A feeling where you are breathing rapidly and taking shallow breaths, eventually leading to hyperventilation? Our body responds to anxiety in different ways, bringing various physical symptoms along. But, sometimes, shortness is because of severe medical conditions. So, how do you tell that shortness of breath is from anxiety?

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What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a never-ending loop. Imagine getting anxious about an exam; you keep thinking about how you will perform, to the point that you start feeling breathless, which in turn further triggers the fight and flight response, putting you on the verge of an anxiety attack.

Take anxiety seriously. If not treated on time, it can lead to psychogenic fever. What’s more, aggravated anxiety often ends up with anxiety vomiting. Do you want to live your life this way?

Causes of Shortness of Breath?

The word panic and anxiety is associated with fear. When someone feels fear, the body responds by rushing adrenaline; it perceives that fear as a threat and prepares to defend itself. Symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and trembling accompany panic. Shortness of breath occurs because more blood is pumped into the organs quickly. But, shortness of breath is not always due to anxiety. Ensure you know if the shortness of breath is from anxiety.

How To Tell If the Shortness of Breath Is Caused By Anxiety?

If you’ve had an anxiety or panic attack, you will agree when I say that telling why the shortness of breath is occurring during the attack is difficult. You are so occupied with the physical symptoms and racing mind that finding the culprit is tough.

But, we can’t emphasize enough the importance of differentiating. Everyone must know how to tell if the shortness of breath is from anxiety.

So, the next time you have an anxiety attack, notice whether the following anxiety symptoms co-occur or not;

Increase in heart rate

Dizziness
Sweating
Dry mouth
Chills
Nausea and vomiting
Trembling
Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
muscle tension
chest pain
Confusion
Poor concentration

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are different types of anxiety disorders. Sometimes, the fear is for the unknown; it’s called generalized anxiety disorder; at times, the fear is specific; let’s find out more.

Specific phobia
Agoraphobia
Panic disorder
Social anxiety disorder
And generalized anxiety disorder

Regardless of which category you fall in, make sure you find out more about how to tell if the shortness of breath is from anxiety to rule out severe health conditions.

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Treatments for Anxiety Disorder

There are different treatment options for anxiety disorders. In extreme cases, medications are prescribed to manage the physical symptoms.

a. Online Anxiety Medications

If your mental healthcare provider ruled out other health conditions and found out that shortness of breath is from anxiety, then they will prescribe benzodiazepines for short-term use. Benzos like Blue Xanax bar, Valium, and Ativan are anti-anxiety prescription drugs that provide immediate relief from anxiety.

However, the FDA has labeled it as a Schedule 2 controlled drug, which means it is highly addictive, can lead to dependence, and has severe withdrawal effects.

Combining benzos with alcohol and opioids can even result in death. Find out how long does Xanax stay in your system. If you have a history of substance abuse disorder, then the other (better option) would be selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Zoloft or Lexapro.

Sometimes, they are prescribed alone, and other times, they are combined with Wellbutrin, which is used for major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and social anxiety.

Find out why doctors prescribe Lexapro and Wellbutrin together. Read more on why doctors prescribed Zoloft and Wellbutrin together. Other options are; Gabapentin and Clonidine. Or, over-the-counter herbal supplements for anxiety, or try non-addictive anxiety medications.

b. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT, or talk therapy, benefits many people living with anxiety. CBT aims to modify how the person living with anxiety thinks and sees the situations that lead to the trigger. During the CBT session, a person learns to focus on the reason why the anxiety occurs rather than avoiding it.

c. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

The focus here is on encouraging individual and personal self-reflection, accepting the terms of things they cannot change, and engaging in a new behavior.

d. Relaxation Methods

Another technique is relaxation techniques, which could be used at home. The focus is on shifting the mind from the symptoms of anxiety and improving breathing.

e. Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic or deep breathing exercises help a lot during breathing problems caused by anxiety. Perform the following during anxiety-related shortness of breath.

In case you are suffering from an anxiety attack, now try diaphragm breathing. Perform the following.

Lay down on a flat surface and place one hand on the diaphragm above the stomach and the ribs.
Place your other hand in the middle of the chest and breathe slowly through your nose, allowing all air to fill from breathing in
Make sure your lower hand rises while the upper hand remains still.
Contract abdominal muscles when you exhale
Repeat

f. Mindfulness

Mindfulness refers to many different practices. It involves focusing on the present moment and remaining calm. Regular mindfulness practice reduces anxiety and stress. You can practice mindfulness at home.

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If you failed to find out and don’t know how to tell if shortness of breath is from anxiety, contact your doctor. Discuss your concerns with your doctor, tell them about your symptoms, and tell them what treatment options you have already tried.

Sometimes, the doctor will conduct other tests to rule out medical conditions like;

interstitial lung disease
heart problems
asthma
obesity
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

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Summary

To begin with, if you suffer from shortness of breath frequently, you must know how to tell if shortness of breath is from anxiety. If that’s ruled out, your doctor will look for other medical conditions. But, if shortness is because of fear, then the doctor will teach you relaxation tips, diaphragmatic breathing, and do some CBT to lessen the anxiety effects.

Your mental health professional will look for more physical symptoms of anxiety and teach you how to cope in stressful situations. With professional help and the right treatment plan, you can fight feelings of anxiety. The first step is to stay in the present moment and practice breathing techniques.

At times, short-term use of Xanax helps with easing the anxiety effects on the body. People with ongoing anxiety have insomnia, and Xanax for sleep is often prescribed for that. Find out more on how to get Xanax prescribed.

Sometimes, anxiety is chronic and requires long-term use of antidepressants like SSRIs or SNRIs. Wellbutrin is another option, and it usually lasts longer on the system.

In conclusion, the best way to combat severe anxiety is to seek medical care. In case of a medical emergency, seek immediate medical attention. Find the right treatment option for yourself by visiting a mental healthcare professional.

Medical Disclaimer:

At Therapy Fleet, we strive to enhance the quality of life for those dealing with mental health issues. Our licensed medical professionals meticulously research, edit, and review all content before publication. Nonetheless, this information should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical guidance, please consult your physician or reach out to Therapy Fleet’s qualified staff.

Don’t take anxiety as an disorder treat it like an instinct and make it work for you all you need is to learn how to control it

FAQs

1. What does shortness of breath from anxiety feel like?

Shortness of breath means a person is hyperventilating. Someone hyperventilating is taking in too much oxygen and gasping for more air. It may feel like you are gasping or choking.

2. How can you calm shortness of breath anxiety?

Try pursed-lip breathing. It helps to slow the pace of breathing. You can practice pursed breathing at home.

3. How do you tell if shortness of breath is from anxiety?

If other symptoms of anxiety are palpitations, dizziness, and, importantly, if you are in a state of fear, then you can confirm that shortness is from anxiety.

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