Thank you for sharing your concern. Breathlessness, frequent yawning and a feeling of forced breathing can sometimes be associated with anxiety, particularly when symptoms appear during stress. However, it is important not to assume that anxiety is the only cause.
Since these symptoms have occurred repeatedly and are also occurring in your younger sister, I would suggest:
* Get a medical evaluation to rule out respiratory, cardiac, anaemia,
thyroid or other physical causes.
* Keep a note of when the symptoms occur, especially around stress, sleep, food or caffeine.
* If medical causes are ruled out, consider counselling/psychological support to understand the anxiety–breathing cycle.
* During an episode, try slow, comfortable breathing rather than repeatedly taking deep or forced breaths.
* Reduce excessive checking of your breathing, as this can sometimes increase the sensation.
Dr Namita Ranjan
Counselling Psychologist