Why Do I Feel Like I Can’t Breathe?
Many people with panic disorder, as well as some other anxiety disorders, report feeling like they can’t breathe. Most people describe this as a feeling that they can’t get enough air into their lungs or a sensation of smothering. Since we need to breathe to sustain life, feeling like you can’t breathe can quickly bring about a sense of panic and fear. If you feel like you can’t breathe, it may seem logical to conclude that you may faint or even die from lack of oxygen. But, in reality, these sensations are not life-threatening or dangerous. Why Do I Feel Like I Can’t Breathe? The majority of time, anxiety-related breathlessness can be linked to the way you are breathing. When experiencing anxiety, your breathing may become quick, short and shallow. This is called chest (thoracic) breathing and can result in ‘over
