Lungs really close up or ....?

[Loveiskind12]

Why when you are experiencing anxiety , can you not breathe ?... Like, it actually feels like your chest gets tight and your lungs are closing up ... Is that actually happening ?

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Anxiety can manifest physically. Anxiety for me sometimes feels like my chest is sore. Feels like I have heart problems. Lungs hurt sometimes from trying to take a deep breath. Ahhh

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You’ll be okay, when i have an anxiety attack it is a very simlar feeling. Try a breathing exercise while finding a small distraction, this is what helps me most times, it doesn’t cure it necessarily but it helps. And I dont think your lungs actually close up its the effect of the anxiety on your breathing.

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No, your lungs do not close up unless you have a condition with your lungs like asthma that would be exacerbated by anxiety. It would be an anxiety-induced asthma attack...and you would treat it with inhalers...all good. As for anxiety being the primary culprit, no. Our body when anxious or panicked relies on short/shallow breaths. This also explains hyperventilation that occurs....just tons of bursts of oxygen...but not fulfilling. Remember your body is churning towards flight or fight. When you run a race, short and shallow breaths are how you continue to provide your body with oxygen....same thing except with anxiety we aren't running a literal race. Our body is preparing to run for its life if required which is why the body reacts with short shallow breathing and the heart rate increases; it's prepping the entire body for action. Your lungs aren't shutting down, they're just going from normal breathing to being in the Olympics with a snap of the fingers. As mentioned, breathing exercises can calm you down, restore good hormonal balance as far as anxiety goes, and return to full deep breaths. Occasionally during this the body actually gets too much oxygen which is why you can feel off...carbon dioxide can sometimes help....and you might even try breathing in a paper bag for a short period of time. A lot of info, but as an asthmatic and an anxiety sufferer, I can assure you that your lungs are working. Hope this helps!