Breathlessness is one of the most common panic attack symptoms and can be one of the most frightening experiences during an episode of anxiety. Many people feel as though they cannot get enough air, even though their oxygen levels are usually normal. During a panic attack, the body’s fight-or-flight response is activated. Breathing often becomes faster and shallower, a pattern known as hyperventilation. This change in breathing can lead to symptoms such as: * Shortness of breath * Chest tightness or chest discomfort * A feeling of suffocation * Dizziness or light-headedness * Tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, or around the mouth These physical sensations can make a person fear that something is seriously wrong. The resulting fear increases anxiety, causing breathing to become even more rapid and reinforcing the panic cycle. Understanding why anxiety causes breathlessness can help explain why panic attacks feel so intense. At the same time, it is important to remember that breathlessness is not always caused by anxiety. New, persistent, severe, or unexplained shortness of breath may also occur in heart, lung, or other medical conditions and should be appropriately evaluated. Increasing awareness of how anxiety affects breathing can improve understanding of panic disorder and other anxiety disorders, while helping reduce stigma surrounding these common mental health conditions. Dr. Aditya Patil Consultant Psychiatrist Mana Sajjana Clinic, Pimple Saudagar, Pune