Anxiety and Stress Forum - Hollow breathing feeling

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Q: Hollow breathing feeling

asked by: igon417 on August 23rd, 2009

New User

I hope someone can help me out there...i dont even know how to explain this...i have gone to cardiologist, everything is fine...i have two issues that are scaring the crap out of me. 1. every now and again i get this "physical" feeling of...my breathing being interrupted (for lack of a better word) but Im breathing ok. It feels like a "hollowness" expands and then I get almost like a warm sensation in my chest and throat, then I feel like a flutter or something and it goes away...now... months ago...a full anxiety attack would be in full affect...but I have learned to "control" it. I hate this feeling...its annoying...not painful but scary! I have gone to the doctors about it...but i think they just look at me as a lost anxiety hypochondriac case. the 2nd is that every now and then i am feeling jabbing pains on the left side of my head...annoying but not painful...again..had cat scan done...found everything ok with my brain...but what the heck? I just want to feel normal...and be 100% for my family. please...any help would be appreciated...thanks and God Bless!

Replies(1)

Dr. Christine L. Selby , PHD

replied on August 31st, 2009

Thanks for taking the time to write in with a situation that clearly has you concerned and scared. You may need to be persistent with your medical providers to be sure that you continue to be evaluated by the right specialists. However, if you are satisfied that your physicians are taking you seriously (which it sounds like you do not beleive that they are at this point) and they cannot find a medical reason for your symptoms, then it will be important to consult with a licensed mental health professional. Since you have a self-described history of panic attacks that you have "learned to control" you may still be experiencing symptoms that really seem like should have a medical cause but in fact do not. A qualified mental health professional with an expertise in psychosomatic/pain disorders may be a useful place to start.

Best wishes,

Dr. Selby

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