Anxiety responds very well to treatment. Yet it is often hard for people to eliminate anxiety on their own. That is because anxiety is often self-sustaining - where the symptoms of anxiety lead to further anxiety. There are many anxiety symptoms that cause a considerable amount of fear and may trigger severe attacks. These include:
- Chest Pains
- Lightheadedness
- Weakness and Tingling
- Feeling Faint
- Rapid Heartbeat
These symptoms can be quite scary - so scary, in fact, that some people are hospitalized as they worry they're having a heart attack. But what is fascinating is that many of these symptoms can, in some cases, be traced back to one specific anxiety symptom: shallow breathing.
Shallow Breathing Affects Many With Anxiety
Shallow breathing is defined as small, short breaths. When caused by anxiety, they are unlikely to be dangerous and rarely indicate an underlying health problem (although obesity may increase the risk of shallow breathing). However, this little anxiety symptom can cause a cascade of reactions that have wreaks havoc on millions of people with anxiety.
It's most commonly associated with panic attacks, but it may be present in other types of anxiety disorder.
The Problem Isn't Too Little Air - It's Too Much
When people talk about shallow breathing, their primary concern is whether they're getting enough oxygen. Short, rapid breaths make people feel as though they need to get deeper breaths, and so they try to yawn or breathe in deeply in order to compensate.
Unfortunately, this makes everything worse.
But it's best to start at the beginning. The reason anxiety causes shallow breathing is because anxiety is the activation of your fight or flight system. It's an evolutionary adaptation designed to keep you safe from harm. When faced with danger, your heartbeat speeds up and you breathe faster in order to get more oxygen for fighting or fleeing.
Those with anxiety aren't facing any fears, but their body reacts as though they are. That's what creates an anxiety disorder. The body is constantly releasing adrenaline and reacting as though the person is in a fearful situation, even though they are not.
