Could my breathing trouble be just anxiety?

It certainly can. In Zen, we’re freakishly interested in how the breath works, both in its mechanics and how it correlates to mental states. Shallow, rapid, “chesty” breathing is part of the package of physiological responses to anxiety. But it works the other way, too; bringing the breath down into the abdomen and fully cycling it has the effect of mitigating the anxiety.

If you were a Zen practitioner, you’d take a seat, sit up tall, let your chest and belly expand out forward, and focus your attention on the breath. It sometimes helps to consciously make the belly the engine that drives the breath, so that the belly expands in and out and the chest does little of the work. If you’re anxious, your thoughts will keep turning to the things you’re anxious about, but you let those go right on by and keep returning your attention to the breath. Typically, after a few minutes of doing this the breath gets slower and more complete (you don’t want to force this along to the point that feel you want to gasp for breath; just let it settle in naturally).

It could be, but definitely check with your regular doctor when she returns. Consider going to the ER if your symptoms get worse before you can see your physician. If the doctor you saw first was your regular one, I would have suggested to find another. He sounds like he is incompetent and uncaring.

Try two Calms by Hyland, available over the counter.

Have you tried going somewhere exciting? I love nature. So whenever I feel stress, I find that going out for a long walk, or going to park, or even my garden in the back, help release my stress. Or even putting on music that I has a special connection to beautiful memories for me. You need to do stuff that will take you out of your head and into the moment. Then you will realize that you was breathing just fine all along.

Stress can bring breathing problems, and phantom body aches. I realized the connection when I realized that I don’t get sick on vacations. Too much on my mind and too busy enjoying myself to remember about any aches and pains. I suddenly feel 10 years younger and ready to conquer life. I just went on a trip where my feet had swollen up bad. Lots of walking. Usually that would bother me and cause me aches even if I took some asprins. Well I took two asprins and kept going. By day six I sat in some cold water with ice before bed and raised my legs up. For the next 4 days they were much better. But what surprised me was how I didn’t feel any pain. When I got home my legs were back to normal after my first night home. I suspect maybe the food had too much salt. I’m not a big salt eater. But back to my point. I think we let fear take over when we have too much time to ponder on the little things that ail us and so we physically make it worse.

If getting out of your mind doesn’t work, than do see a doctor. I also find that I tend to fear doctors more so whenever I consider going to see a doctor for a symptom, it rarely fails that I will suddenly feel better and the symptom will disappear. I’ve been like that since I was a kid. LOL

Not knowing your weight, diet, overall health and level of stress…my first inclination is allergies. This time of year here in the USA is wicked brutal for allergies. Waking up with a stuffy nose is normal for this time of year….even a sore scratchy throat is par for the course.

I am not a doctor and do not pretend to be one and am only suggesting this because it works for more than a few people I know….try OTC Claritan allergy relief meds if you are inclined to side step my best advice and that is to see your regular Dr. for your best answer.

I had breathing problems for a while and, yes, for me it was anxiety and I still have shortness of breath when I’m nervous about something. However, my mother had breathing problems and for her it was a symptom of heart disease. I would definitely get it checked more closely to rule out anything more serious.

I was appalled the doctor said “It’s always the same people who visit doctors.” There are so many things wrong with that statement. That’s such a horrible thing to say to a patient and I would mention it to your own doctor. In the meantime, the breathing exercises that others mentioned really do help.

I, too, was going to tell you to get rid of him if he was your regular doctor. He shouldn’t even have his job.

It could be anxiety, but it could also be asthma or other things. Do you feel emotionally anxious about anything? Been under stress?

Thank you, all. For now, I’m still alive, so that’s good.

I did some Zen breathing, and that does work very well, as long as I’m concentrating. I also got some herbal calming stuff.

Excitement actually seems to make it worse – I spent time with friends during the week, and while I had a lot of fun, the breathing was more difficult. However, I’ll try to get in a hike with my old dog tomorrow. That’s probably my most relaxing pastime, and the autumn air is very enjoyable right now.

Allergies…hm. I do also have a scratchy throat. I’ll ask my trusted doctor about that.

I don’t feel particularly anxious, but I always fret, so much so that I don’t even notice it much. I love my life in general, but I was born a worrier, and I did have some money issues and school stress lately.

The doctor I went to was a jerk, yes. I’m lucky enough to get a lot of support from family and friends (and jellies) when I have health issues. Even so, he made me feel like a hypochondriac…I hate to think what this kind of doctor could do to someone who comes in with severe stress symptoms, depression or a panic attack.

That doctor is an ass.

Do you have a blood pressure cuff? You could take your pressure and heart rate when you feel terrible, that should give you some information.

If a doctor can’t find anything wrong, he could give you a few Xanax and see if it helps during an episode. If it does, it would tell you it’s likely anxiety related. Some people don’t like playing around with Xanax, but three pills should be worrisome, unless you are an addict.

@longgone If you haven’t already looked into it – as long as you aren’t taking any other kind of sedatives, try passion flower tea. It’s actually been studied and proven to help people experiencing anxiety, and is also used as a sleep aid. I like it a lot, but I just started taking Zoloft and I have to talk with my doctor before I know if it’s safe to combine them.

Yes, it could be anxiety or stress or it could be some type of allergic reaction.

Is the doctor who said ’‘It’s always the same people who visit doctors” a psychologist?
It is baffling that a doctor can think that. Maybe he’s one of those imposters? Could you report it to some authority?

Anyway does it happen when you concentrate on absolutely anything, for example including when you play a game for fun but with the intent to win?
’‘I did have some money issues and school stress lately.’’ So those 2 things haven’t been resolved completely yet? I hope your regular doctor will figure things. Good luck.

@longgone I just read your response: ’‘Excitement actually seems to make it worse – I spent time with friends during the week, and while I had a lot of fun, the breathing was more difficult’’ That makes it a mystery.

Yes. Especially if you are under stress.

Anxiety attacks or panic attacks develop fairly fast. Allergies take longer. But they both have fairly similar symptoms.

Yes.