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Are Chest Tightness And Difficulty In Breathing Symptoms Of Anxiety?

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Posted on Mon, 16 Nov 2015
Question: Ok so i have a lot of stress and its getting to an overwhelming point to where i cant handle it anymore i dont know im having a anxiety attack but my chest tightens up it's kind a hard to breathe I get a little lightheaded and a little nauseous I get a little shaky its starting to happen more frequently
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
These symptoms suggest anxiety or panic attacks.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from icliniq.com for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. In severe anxiety or panic attack individuals show different type of symptoms. Chest tightness or chocking sensation in chest, difficulty in breathing are also seen in severe anxiety. In severe anxiety autonomic symptoms like headache, shakiness, nausea etc are also seen.

Anxiety occurs in episodes but cause significant change in lifestyle and affects the day to day routine. As your symptoms are occurring more frequently so I'd advise you to consult a psychiatrist for evaluation and treatment.

For severe anxiety medicines like SSRIs can certainly help. Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Escitalopram etc are commonly used drugs for anxiety. These medicines help to reduce the frequency of anxiety attacks and you will feel better. These medicines should be taken regularly. For the attacks some medicines can be used on SOS basis. Propranolol or low dose benzodiazepines as Clonazepam, Alprazolam etc can be used. These medicines help to reduce the symptoms quickly in cases of anxiety attacks and thus provide symptomatic control. This also help in good sleep. So please visit a doctor for treatment and you will surely see improvement.

Apart from medicines Behaviour therapy with Relaxation exercises also have excellent efficacy in controlling anxiety. This helps to reduce the acute symptoms and thus provide control of symptoms.

Thanks, Hope this helps. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5192 Questions

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Are Chest Tightness And Difficulty In Breathing Symptoms Of Anxiety?

Brief Answer: These symptoms suggest anxiety or panic attacks. Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from icliniq.com for your health related queries I can understand your concern. In severe anxiety or panic attack individuals show different type of symptoms. Chest tightness or chocking sensation in chest, difficulty in breathing are also seen in severe anxiety. In severe anxiety autonomic symptoms like headache, shakiness, nausea etc are also seen. Anxiety occurs in episodes but cause significant change in lifestyle and affects the day to day routine. As your symptoms are occurring more frequently so I'd advise you to consult a psychiatrist for evaluation and treatment. For severe anxiety medicines like SSRIs can certainly help. Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Escitalopram etc are commonly used drugs for anxiety. These medicines help to reduce the frequency of anxiety attacks and you will feel better. These medicines should be taken regularly. For the attacks some medicines can be used on SOS basis. Propranolol or low dose benzodiazepines as Clonazepam, Alprazolam etc can be used. These medicines help to reduce the symptoms quickly in cases of anxiety attacks and thus provide symptomatic control. This also help in good sleep. So please visit a doctor for treatment and you will surely see improvement. Apart from medicines Behaviour therapy with Relaxation exercises also have excellent efficacy in controlling anxiety. This helps to reduce the acute symptoms and thus provide control of symptoms. Thanks, Hope this helps. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.