Hello Alexandra0817,

I am so sorry that you are feeling this way. Your post was somewhat reassuring to me because I too am experiencing the same symptoms due to anxiety. For the past few days, my chest is very tight and I feel like I can't breathe at times, which of course has sparked many panic attacks. I have always suffered from chest tightness as an anxiety/stress symptom, however, I think that COVID has exacerbated this feeling because I used to be able to chalk it up to anxiety and work through it, now I get inundated with fear that my symptoms are COVID related.

Sorry to hear this, It’s probably nothing to worry about. I had it for many years and doctors thought it was nothing or worsening asthma. A new doctor found moderate to severe copd. I wonder how it was missed. It changes nothing for me except I now have medications and strategies to help. I know what vitamins and supplements to take too and feel much better than I did before. I’ve found my anxiety is less with the vitamins and minerals I take too. I’m not suggesting you have it though. There’s a lot of things that cause breathlessness including a B1 deficiency. Dr Eric Berg has a very helpful video on YouTube about it. Good luck with it.

I get a smothering feeling, with my anxiety its horrid, hope yours feels better soon.

I know what you are experiencing I'm the same day in day out I don't get any break from it, I do have a breathing test later today this will be my second time around so hopefully this time someone will find out what's going on.
Good luck hope you can find out your answers soon.

I'm in the same boat. I do have asthma (I take medication for it) and it's tough to tell if it's the anxiety aggravating the asthma, or the asthma triggering the anxiety.

Do you experience this literally 24/7? Or is it less noticeable if you're focused on a task?

I use to have issues with breathing bc I would focus on my air intake and how shallow it was etc. Then I noticed it was bc I was focusing on it that it was so bad. Distraction allowed me to not worry about. Bc your body breathes on its own, whether you like it or not lol

I also can relate and also my heart sky rockets and I think its going to explode!!! Anxiety is the absolute worst!!!!

Anxiety does cause breathing issues. Even when not feeling anxious there are after effects of mental issues. Pace your breathing, and relax your heart. Do breathing relaxation exercises.

Thank you all or your responses. It makes me feel a little better that I am not the only one with this issue. I wish I could respond to everyone individually but there is no reply thing on here, which is kinda weird. I am going to look into vitamins I should take and that video @tropicaloo suggested. Also, yes covid has caused me to worry about this even more, but since this has been going on so long and this is my only symptom, I have ruled that out and I don't worry about that anymore as much. It probably is nothing to worry about, so I just have to have faith that I can gain control again. And to answer @Ash122 it not a problem when I am sleeping and right when I wake up in the morning. Other than that it is just about every waking hour, but when I am focused on something I notice it a little less but it doesn't help much.

Thank you guys for the suggestions, and I think the comment that helped the most was that my body will breath on it's own whether I like it or not.

I wouldn't say its daily--but when I am very stressed and anxious, I will actually hold my breath without realizing--or breath really shallowly. When I notice, I start deep breathing and it helps. Sometimes when I sleep I also do it and wake up gasping for air.