Breathing problems

[veryworried]

I have been having breathing problems for over a year now which are slowly getting worse. I have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, asthma,and acid reflux.. My asthma is now under control and i have started taking dosulepin for my anxiety. However i still fell like i can't breathe most of the time I want to know if not being able to breathe all the time can be a symptom of anxiety or whether anxiety just causes shortness of breath when you are having a panic attack? would be grateful for anyones views

[forwells]

Hi

 Just thought you might like to know my thoughts on this
I also get this and have done for a few years on and off I believe that mine is caused by my reflux and find it worst when my reflux and sinus play up

What i put it down to is that when i get reflux and bring some acid and food up I think a bit goes back down into my lungs and irritates them. I get it very bad when i get Chinese take away which give me bad reflux
I also get it lightly most of the time but i think it is my sinus causing this I also cough most of the day to stop flem being stuck in my neck from running sinuses and most of the time i don't notice only when it really bad. Do you notice it all the time or only when you think about it ?
Hope that might help a bit
cheers kev 

[BruiserBear]

Anxiety causes tension in your body.  Many times this tension will show itself in the form of the feeling that it's harder to take a breath.  This is because the muscles that control your breathing are tight and constantly tense.

The harder you try to take a deep breath, the harder it's going to be.  You may notice that when you're very relaxed this problem may not be there. 

[tigerpaw]

Sorry to hear about the breathing problems, when I have bad spells of anxiety I find myself focusing in on this issue and its very disturbing.  I would certainly link it to your anxiety.

[veryworried]

Thanks for everyones post I have used this site for the first time today and already feel a lot better knowing I am not alone in the way I am feeling. I do think my breathing problems do have something to do with reflux and asthma but I think anxiety plays a large part in it. I too can;t seem to breathe all through the day and its very hard not to keep concentrating on my breathing which makes it worse. Anyone know of any good distraction strategies?

[tigerpaw]

Well i don't want to throw meds at everything but maybe .5 mgs of xanax to calm the anxiety could help.  You would need to speak with your dr about that of course

[learning to cope]

This is one of my most prevalent anxiety symptoms. I have some of the same ailments you suffer from as well (except I have bronchitis instead of asthma). My shortness of breath has been ruled out due to other medical reasons but anxiety. Mine isn't all the time but when it does come on (like it doing right now) i know its just anxiety so i try and calm myself. It usually works