Why Does Anxiety Make You Feel Short of Breath? (Florida Therapy Guide)

If you ever felt the sensation that you cannot catch a full breath with the desire to keep trying, it can be very scary. When this happens, many people start thinking that there may be something wrong with their heart or lungs.

But, in many cases, this feeling is more anxiety than anything else.

One of the most common physical symptoms of anxiety is shortness of breath and it can mimic sensations of any medical condition. Fortunately, there is treatment that can help you to develop healthy coping skills to manage your anxiety symptoms and practice healthy breathing techniques. This will help you to regain control.

If you have been struggling with anxiety and it has been negatively impacting your quality of life, check out this article on: Anxiety Therapy in Fort Lauderdale: How to Stop Overthinking and Regain Control of Your Life.

Click button below to book your appointment.

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Can Anxiety Really Affect Your Breathing?

It feels very alarming when it feels difficult to breath as a result of anxiety.

Many people describe it as:

1. Heavy pressure feeling on chest
2. Chest tightness
3. Feeling like you can’t breathe
4. Feeling the need to “Catch your breath” frequently

If you have went through any of these symptoms, it can feel very overwhelming and real. The truth is that Anxiety does affect your breathing.

Your body is alerting danger even when you are not in danger.

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Why Anxiety Causes Shortness of Breath

When anxiety begins, it creates a fight or flight response that signals danger, causing the body to react in fear, activating the nervous system to get ready for danger.

Here is what happens:

1. Faster Breathing

Automatically, your breathing becomes quick and shallow, making it difficult to get a full breath of air.

2. Muscle Tension

Chest tightness and the sensation of feeling pressure on your chest also makes it difficult to take a full breath.

3. Increased Awareness

You start to consciously think about your breathing and if you are breathing the right way.

To gain more insight regarding the connection between anxiety and breathing difficulties, check out our article on: Panic Attack Therapy in Fort Lauderdale: What to do When Anxiety Feels Overwhelming.

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How to Tell if it is Anxiety or Something Else

It is important to make sure that it is not something more serious. However, anxiety related breathing issues are consistent with these patterns.

1. You’re still able to participate in physical activity
2. It gets better when you’re distracted
3. It gets worse when anxiety or stress increases
4. It comes and goes

For example, many people are still able to participate in workout effectively even though they feel shortness of breath when rested.

If your symptoms worsen overtime, consider seeking medical attention.

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The Anxiety-Breathing Cycle

The reason it keeps happening is because you feel stuck in a vicious cycle of

1. Being Anxious
2. Having a hard time breathing
3. Getting more anxious because of difficulty breathing
4. It repeats and worsens over and over again.

This cycle can make even mild symptoms feel worse than they actually are.

This pattern is similar to the thought pattern described in What Are Intrusive Thoughts? Why Unwanted Thoughts Happen and How to Manage them?

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How to Calm Shortness of Breath from Anxiety?

The goal is to relax your nervous system rather than forcing yourself to breath.

1. Slow your Breathing

Practice inhaling for 4 seconds, holding your breath for 4 seconds, and then exhaling for 6 seconds.

2. Shift your focus

Stay in the moment and focus on the task at hand.

3. Relax your muscles

Ground yourself, drop your shoulders, unclench your hands and jaw, and release tension in your chest.

4. Accept the Sensation

The more you try to resist, the worse it gets. Let is pass naturally.

To learn more techniques to cope with anxiety, read here: How to Calm Anxiety Fast: Proven Techniques that Work (Coral Springs)

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When to Seek Therapy for Anxiety

If you continue to have breathing difficulties as a result of your anxiety and it is impacting your ability to function daily, it may be time to seek therapy.

Consider therapy if:

1. You fail to manage your breathing on your own
2. Your breathing worsens overtime
3. It interfered with your quality of life
4. You feel trapped in an anxiety cycle

To learn more about what Anxiety Therapy involves, read more about it here: Anxiety Therapy in Coral Springs | Online Anxiety Therapy.

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How Therapy Helps You to Regain Control

Therapy provides you with healthy coping skills and breathing techniques to implement into your daily routine. This helps you to break the cycle between physical symptoms and anxiety.

Therapy helps you to:

1. Understand your nervous system reactions
2. Build coping skills
3. Decrease your body’s fear response
4. Learn how to respond instead of reacting

Click button below to book your appointment.

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FAQ Section

Can anxiety really make you feel like you can’t breathe?

Yes, this sensation is very common when dealing with anxiety due to chest tightness.

How long does anxiety shortness of breath last?

It varies for each person and depends on your stress levels. Sometimes, it can last for mins and other times it can last for hours.

Is anxiety related shortness of breath dangerous?

No, it is not life-threatening, but it does feel very real and can be harmful to your daily functioning.

What is the fastest way to stop it?

Slowing down your breathing and remaining present can be very helpful to reduce your symptoms.

Should I see a doctor or a therapist?

If your symptoms are consistent and negatively impacting your life, seeking professional help is advised.

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Click button below to book your therapy session.

Benjamin Miller

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Fort Lauderdale, FL

954-608-0680

This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this content does not create a therapist–client relationship. If you are experiencing significant distress or believe you may have a mental health condition, please contact a licensed mental health professional or seek appropriate medical care.