"When Seeley Lutz, a 26-year-old from Alexandria, Virginia, feels overwhelmed - either in a social situation or by all she has to get done - she said she feels like her body starts to shut down. "I often feel like there's something heavy sitting atop my chest or blocking my airways, leaving me unable to breathe," Lutz said. "It truly feels like you're suffocating even when there's plenty of oxygen available.""
""When we perceive a threat, whether real or imagined, the brain signals the body to enter fight-or-flight mode," explained Gayle Watts, a clinical psychologist with Turning Tides Psychology. "This activates the sympathetic nervous system, which increases heart rate, tenses muscles, and alters breathing patterns." To the body, a threat isn't always as primal or life-threatening as being chased by a bear. It can also be giving a presentation, experiencing a trauma trigger, or anything in between."
Air hunger, medically called dyspnea, is the sensation of not getting enough air and commonly accompanies anxiety. Perceived threats activate the sympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate, tensing muscles, and changing breathing patterns, which can produce chest heaviness and airway restriction sensations. Conscious attempts to control breathing often worsen the problem by reinforcing the anxiety-breathing cycle. Typical triggers range from immediate physical danger to social situations or trauma reminders. The experience can become cyclical, with breathing difficulty provoking more anxiety and prolonged respiratory distress.
Read at BuzzFeed
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