I have had this tightness in my throat for a year and half, at first I thought it was from when I had Ross River Fever and was just hanging on from that but after the doctors took some tests and everything looked fine, I started to believe it was stress related. I have been a smoker too so of course that was worrying. It wasn't until the day the police came to my door and told me that my dad had passed away, that I really noticed that the tightening in my throat got worse, to the point of feeling like I couldn't breathe, even though I was breathing... it was anxiety, after my family and friends calmed me down and I had a cup of tea and realised that i had to calm down otherwise it would not go away... Once I had calmed, it did go. I am 27 years old now and find that when I am stressed it returns and gets worse when I think about it. I also have tension in my shoulders and neck. I guess it is a good warning sign to take things slow and look after myself better.