Shortness of Breath - Real or product of my mind?

[eddiehead24]

Hi All,

For the last 4 weeks, I have been plagued by constant shortness of breath (or what I think is shortness of breath??). At first I started out monitoring every beat of my heart because of palpitations. Now I rarely feel the palpitations anymore, but I can NEVER breathe properly is seems. I feel every breath I take. I analyze, is it too fast, is my stomach sticking out too much when it happens? I feel like I have to force every breath I take. Like if I stop, I won't breathe, but know that my body takes over every night when I sleep.

I can't really say what makes it worse or better. Exercise does not really make a difference. I feel uncomfortable, but not any worse than when I'm not exercising. I also have some chest pain and a bloated stomach, so I am freaked that I am not breathing right and taking in too much air. I'm so worried about this. Everyone keeps telling me it's a product of my anxiety, but how can they be so confident? Even when I am relaxing watching TV or taking a shower or bath, I still feel like I can't breathe. I started taking anxiety medications, including clonazepam which is pretty sedating, and I still feel like I can't breathe despite them.

I have read all sorts of scary things. I'm worried about intersticial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis. I don't know how fast these things come on? I had a normal chest x-ray a few weeks ago, but what if it is missing something serious? I have visions of needing to be on oxygen for the rest of my life or dying young.

This seems like all classic Health Anxiety behaviour, but it feels so real. I am SURE something is legit wrong this time.

[JunoX]

Considering that you have anxiety, had a chest x-ray and can still exercise, I take it all of these symptoms are anxiety related. Anxiety affects breathing significantly and I've noticed that breathing is the easiest thing your mind can trip up. I've had the feelings of shortness of breath, not taking in enough air, taking in too much air, feeling like I have stopped breathing unless I am aware of it, inability to take a deep breath, feeling muscle tightness when breathing or like my lungs are braced and forgetting how to breathe. All anxiety and easily triggered by just thinking about it.

[angielee]

I have svt heart paps and anxiety. Heart paps  can feel like shortness of breath. Mabe you noticed  theshortness and the  focused on it making it worse.

[mollyfin]

Just because it's a product of your mind doesn't mean it's not real.  Anxiety causes very real physical symptoms to manifest.  You're not crazy.  But you're also not in any danger.  If your tests came back all clear and you're able to function normally most of the time, I concur with those saying anxiety.  STOP THINKING ABOUT YOUR BREATHING and it will probably go back to normal quickly!  I know, easier said than done, but try.