Low mood with asthma flare up?

[ARC727]

Is there a link between low mood and asthma flare ups? I’ve had an asthma flare up this past week and have also felt a bit depressed/ not myself this week. Just wondering how common that is and if there’s a link?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

If you’re on steroids for this flare they can greatly affect your mood and bring you down.

In general asthma is a fatigue causing condition and when you’re flaring it is common to feel washed out and run down which in turn can make you feel down. The frustration of not being able to do what you usually can/want to especially if an attack that lingers can also affect your mood. Usually as the asthma calms or you finish your pred course the mood improves.

Hope this helps and that you feel better soon

[Jandm]

I totally agree with EmmaF. It’s frustrating not being able to do the things you need to do. You push yourself to try and do them, but end up even more exhausted. Steroids are a necessary evil which can definitely affect your mood and your sleep pattern. Try and ride it out as best you can and know that once it’s passed, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

[Hidden]

I would ask your doctor because there could be all sorts of reasons. If it’s happening a lot, it could be discouraging. But more seriously, the asthma could be taking a toll on your body. A little over a year ago, a severe asthma flare triggered my kidneys to start to shut down. I hate to think what might have happened to me if I hadn’t gone to the hospital. Neither my regular doctor nor an urgent care center would have been likely to catch it.

It’s called “acute kidney injury” and there are treatments for it.

[ccccc]

Hi, I find this too and agree about the effect of steroids and living with asthma on your body. It's also not being able to go out that affects me. I read about the effect of inflammation on your body and mind generally and there is a psychiatrist, Prof Edward Bullmore who says depression is as a result of inflammation. Since asthma is also inflammation-related it's interesting to wonder if there's a link.

dailymail.co.uk/news/articl...

[Hidden]

Hi I do think that a low mood makes us feel anxious so the anxiety is triggered by the low mood. There is a connection because I've experienced it. Kind regards.