Choking Feeling Anxiety - Panic Attack Symptoms Explained!

Have you ever experienced that dreaded feeling of choking, even when you’re not actually choking? It’s a sensation that can leave you feeling helpless, panicked, and even scared for your life. This is known as choking feeling anxiety, and it’s a real issue affecting many people worldwide.

If you’ve ever felt like there’s a lump in your throat that just won’t go away, or if you’ve struggled to take deep breaths because it feels like your airway is restricted, you’re not alone. Conditions such as trouble swallowing anxiety and throat tightness anxiety are common experiences for many people. Choking feeling anxiety can be a frustrating and debilitating condition that can impact your daily life in countless ways.

In this blog, we’ll explore what choking feeling anxiety is, what causes it, and most importantly, what you can do to overcome it. We’ll dive into the science behind the condition, discuss common triggers, and provide practical tips and techniques to help you manage your symptoms and live a more comfortable life. So, if you’re ready to take control of your anxiety and breathe easier, let’s get started!

What Is a Choking Feeling, and How Is It Related to Anxiety?

A choking feeling is a sensation of tightness or pressure in the throat or chest, making breathing difficult or swallowing difficult. It can also feel like something is stuck in the throat, making it hard to swallow food or liquids. For some people, the choking feeling may be accompanied by panic or anxiety, which can make the experience even more distressing, as outlined by WebMD.

The relationship between a choking feeling and anxiety is complex and multifaceted. Anxiety is a natural response to stress or danger, and it can cause many physical and emotional symptoms. In some cases, anxiety can lead to hyperventilation or over-breathing, which can cause a sensation of tightness in the throat and chest, as explained by the American Psychological Association.

When a person hyperventilates, they breathe in too much oxygen and exhale too much carbon dioxide, which can cause changes in the body’s pH balance. It can lead to respiratory alkalosis, which can cause a range of symptoms, including a choking feeling, dizziness, and tingling or numbness in the extremities.

Anxiety can also trigger various physical responses, such as increased heart rate, sweating, and muscle tension. These physical symptoms can exacerbate choking, making it more intense and overwhelming.

In addition to hyperventilation and physical symptoms, anxiety can also cause a range of cognitive or emotional symptoms, such as feelings of panic, fear, or dread. These emotional symptoms can contribute to the choking sensation and make it feel more distressing.

Furthermore, for some people, the choking feeling itself can become a trigger for anxiety, leading to a cycle of anxiety and choking sensations that can be difficult to break.

Why Does Anxiety Sometimes Cause a Choking Sensation in the Throat?

Anxiety can cause a choking sensation in the throat due to several reasons. Here are some of the possible explanations:

Hyperventilation: Hyperventilation is a common response to anxiety that can cause a choking sensation in the throat. When people hyperventilate, they breathe rapidly and shallowly, inhaling too much oxygen and carbon dioxide. It can cause changes in the body’s pH balance, leading to a sensation of tightness or pressure in the chest and throat.
Muscle Tension: Anxiety can cause muscle tension in the neck and throat, leading to a choking sensation. When a person feels anxious, their muscles tend to become tense as part of the body’s natural “fight or flight” response. This tension can cause the muscles in the throat to contract, making it harder to swallow and causing a sensation of tightness or pressure.
Acid Reflux: Anxiety can also contribute to acid reflux, which can cause a choking sensation in the throat. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation. Anxiety can worsen acid reflux symptoms by increasing stomach acid production and relaxing the muscles that normally prevent acid from flowing back into the esophagus.
Panic Attacks: Panic attacks are a common symptom of anxiety disorders and can cause a choking sensation in the throat. A person may feel like choking or suffocating during a panic attack, even without physical obstruction. This sensation can be very distressing and exacerbate anxiety and panic.
Psychological Factors: Anxiety can also cause a choking sensation in the throat due to psychological factors, such as fear of suffocation or fear of losing control. These fears can contribute to the physical sensation of a choking feeling and make it feel more intense and overwhelming.

What Are the Symptoms of an Anxiety-Induced Choking Feeling?

Several physical and emotional symptoms can accompany the anxiety-induced choking feeling. Here are some of the common symptoms associated with a choking feeling caused by anxiety:

Tightness in the Throat or Chest: One of the most common symptoms of an anxiety-induced choking feeling is a sensation of tightness or pressure in the throat or chest. It can make it difficult to breathe or swallow and can be very distressing.
Shortness of Breath: Anxiety can also cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, contributing to a choking feeling. This symptom can be exacerbated by hyperventilation or over-breathing, which is common in people with anxiety.
Heart Palpitations: Anxiety-induced choking feeling can also cause heart palpitations or a racing heartbeat. This symptom is caused by the body’s natural “fight or flight” response to stress and can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and panic.
Dizziness or Lightheadedness: Anxiety can also cause dizziness or lightheadedness, contributing to feeling suffocated or choked. Changes in blood pressure and circulation cause this symptom and can be exacerbated by hyperventilation or other physical symptoms of anxiety.
Tingling or Numbness in the Extremities: Anxiety-induced choking feeling can also cause tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, or face. Changes in blood flow cause this symptom and can be exacerbated by hyperventilation or other physical symptoms of anxiety.
Feelings of Panic, Fear, or Dread: The anxiety-induced choking feeling can also be accompanied by feelings of panic, fear, or dread. These emotional symptoms can exacerbate the physical sensation of a choking feeling and make it feel more distressing.

How Can You Manage or Reduce a Choking Sensation Caused by Anxiety?

There are several ways to manage or reduce a choking sensation caused by anxiety. Here are some strategies that may be helpful:

Relaxation Techniques: Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation can help reduce muscle tension and promote a sense of calm. These techniques can be practiced regularly to help manage anxiety and reduce the likelihood of experiencing a choking sensation.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. CBT can help people identify and challenge negative thoughts and learn new coping strategies to manage anxiety symptoms, including a choking sensation.
Exposure Therapy: Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing oneself to anxiety-provoking situations or triggers to desensitize oneself. It can help reduce the anxiety response’s intensity and the likelihood of experiencing a choking sensation.
Medication: Certain medications, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, can help manage anxiety symptoms and reduce the likelihood of experiencing a choking sensation. These medications should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Lifestyle Changes: Making lifestyle changes such as getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep can help manage anxiety symptoms and reduce the likelihood of experiencing a choking sensation.
Seek Professional Help: If anxiety symptoms and choking sensations are persistent and interfere with daily life, it may be necessary to seek professional help. A healthcare provider or mental health professional can diagnose, offer treatment recommendations, and help manage symptoms.

In summary, managing or reducing a choking sensation caused by anxiety may involve relaxation techniques, therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and seeking professional help. It is important to find strategies that work best for the individual and to seek help if symptoms are persistent or interfering with daily life.

Can Certain Breathing Techniques Help Relieve a Choking Feeling in People With Anxiety?

Certain breathing techniques can help relieve a choking feeling in people with anxiety. Here are some of the techniques that may be helpful:

Diaphragmatic Breathing: Diaphragmatic breathing, also known as belly breathing, involves breathing deeply into the abdomen rather than the chest. This technique can help reduce tension in the chest and promote relaxation. To practice diaphragmatic breathing, place one hand on the belly and breathe in deeply through the nose, filling the belly with air. Hold the breath for a few seconds, then exhale slowly through the mouth, letting the belly deflate.
Equal Breathing: Equal breathing involves inhaling and exhaling at the same time. This technique can help regulate the breath and promote relaxation. To practice equal breathing, inhale through the nose for a count of four, hold the breath for a count of four, and then exhale through the mouth for a count of four.
4-7-8 Breathing: 4-7-8 breathing is a technique that involves inhaling for a count of four, holding the breath for a count of seven, and exhaling for a count of eight. This technique can help regulate the breath and promote relaxation. To practice 4-7-8 breathing, inhale through the nose for a count of four, hold the breath for seven, and then exhale through the mouth for a count of eight.
Pursed-Lip Breathing: Pursed-lip breathing involves breathing in through the nose and then exhaling slowly through pursed lips as if blowing out a candle. This technique can help regulate the breath and reduce the intensity of a choking sensation. To practice pursed-lip breathing, inhale through the nose for a count of two, purse the lips, and then exhale slowly through the mouth for a count of four.

When Should You Seek Professional Help for a Choking Feeling Related to Anxiety?

Here are some signs that may indicate the need for professional help:

Persistent Symptoms: If you are experiencing a choking feeling or other anxiety symptoms regularly, despite trying self-help strategies, it may be time to seek professional help. Persistent symptoms can indicate an anxiety disorder, and a healthcare provider or mental health professional can provide a diagnosis and offer treatment recommendations.
Interference with Daily Life: If anxiety symptoms and choking sensations interfere with daily life, such as affecting work or relationships, it may be necessary to seek professional help. A healthcare provider or mental health professional can help manage symptoms and provide coping strategies to improve quality of life.
Severe Symptoms: If anxiety symptoms and choking sensations are severe, such as causing difficulty breathing or chest pain, seek emergency medical attention immediately. These symptoms can be a sign of a medical emergency and should not be ignored.
Difficulty Coping: If you have difficulty coping with anxiety symptoms and choking sensations, seek professional help. A mental health professional can provide support, offer coping strategies, and help develop a treatment plan to manage symptoms.
Other Medical Conditions: If you have other medical conditions contributing to anxiety symptoms and choking sensations, such as asthma or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), seek professional help. A healthcare provider can help manage these conditions and provide treatment recommendations for anxiety symptoms.

Overall, seeking professional help for a choking feeling related to anxiety is important if symptoms are persistent, interfering with daily life, or causing severe distress. A healthcare provider or mental health professional can provide a diagnosis, offer treatment recommendations, and help manage symptoms to improve the overall quality of life.

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Welcome to After-Anxiety.com! Our dedicated team tirelessly curates resources that empower individuals to overcome anxiety. Our authors, including mental health advocates Jessi Davis, James Thompson, and Ana Ramirez, contribute their diverse experiences and expertise to provide insightful content. Their backgrounds in psychology, holistic health, mindfulness, and wellness contribute to our mission: helping individuals understand, manage, and thrive after anxiety. Discover After-Anxiety.com today – your online hub for healing, growth, and a fulfilling future.