Shortness of Breath can be Fearful for the Anxiety Sufferer
When a person suffering from anxiety experiences a panic attack, shortness of breath is probably the most obvious symptom for the sufferer. The anxiety sufferer cannot breathe at a normal rate and takes short breaths because getting a full breath is just too uncomfortable. Plus, when the anxiety sufferer realizes he or she cannot breathe the level of anxiety increases. Like many anxiety symptoms, shortness of breath just keeps the symptom-anxiety cycle going. The medical term for the symptom of shortness of breath is known as dyspnea. When you discover that a patient is having problems breathing, you should first help the person to get their rate of breathing under control.
Can the anxiety sufferer be prescribed a medication to keep dyspnea in check? Medications to control dyspnea are classified as benzodiazepines and will probably be prescribed if the dyspnea cannot be controlled through other behavioral therapy techniques. Benzodiazepines are prescribed if the patient is complaining of anxiety. Otherwise, if anxiety is not the background cause, the doctor might prescribe medications from the opioid class. Of course medications should only be used as a last resort over other natural therapies. The doctor might even use both in an effort to get the shortness of breath problem under control.
Natural therapies include getting the patient to relax when shortness of breath occurs. You can coach the anxiety sufferer to get an awareness of his or her breathing pattern. You can get the anxiety sufferer to a place where there is plenty of cool, fresh air. Make sure you get the sufferer to sit upright as this facilitates proper breathing. If in a room, open the windows, turn on the air conditioner, or start the fan. Fan the patient with a magazine if you have to. Loosen the patient's necktie or any other constrictive clothing that could be making breathing more difficult. If the patient still cannot get over his or her shortness of breath then you need to look for a medical treatment facility.
Not all shortness of breath is related to dyspnea and anxiety. For example, when a person exercises or engages in some other strenuous physical activity, there can be more effort expended in breathing and getting the proper amount of air. But when you see an anxiety-prone person experiencing shortness of breath and he or she has done nothing physical, you have to focus on relaxation techniques. It is important to understand that the patient's brain is working against the process of normal breathing by interrupting the electrical impulses that regulates the diaphragm, chest muscles, and lungs.
If shortness of breath persists as a problem, it would be wise to rule out any other serious illness. Remember that shortness of breath is found in other types of diseases such as those involving the heart and lungs. The patient could also be having a reaction to allergens in the air. If you typically do not suffer from anxiety then you need to see your doctor so that tests can be run for other conditions that could cause your breathing difficulty.
