COPD, Asthma & the Common Cold: The Psychological Impact of Breathing Disorders

How to Cope with the Anxiety and Depression

Whether you suffer from COPD, emphysema, asthma or a simple cold, complications associated with a breathing disorder can leave you feeling depressed and anxious. Whether your breathing complication is attributed to chronic condition or a condition that is acute and relatively easy to resolve, understanding the impact of your emotional health can be just as important as treating the physical complications.

Breathing disorders come in all shapes and sizes. With the common symptoms often bringing about shortness of breath, it is simple to understand why someone may experience a sudden onset of anxiety if they are unable to breath. As anxiety and depression set in, breathing can often become even more compromised.

When asked, most patients suffering from a breathing disorder will state the anxiety that sets in is simply due to the mental state and fear of becoming incapacitated and dependent on others for care. Because the inclination of many healthcare professionals is to prescribe anti-anxiety medications, patients with breathing disorders should be cautious when considering this option. Because anti-anxiety medications can further suppress breathing, the associated complications may be exacerbated, leading to a greater frequency of anxiety and depression.

If you are a patient who suffers from a breathing disorder of any kind, from COPD to asthma, consider other options to remedy psychological complications associated with your condition. Using support groups, therapy and even relaxation techniques, many patients can resolve their own psychological complications with a "mind over matter" process. Obviously, the best type of treatment is to resolve the underlying breathing disorder so as to alleviate the complications of respiration.