Teen breathing problems

[Cushionface]

Just wondered if anyone has experienced this. My 14 year old daughter has periods of what she calls 'breathing problems'. She feels that every few breaths, she has to gulp for air. We have had her tested before (asthma/hay fever/ allergies) and there's nothing wrong with her. I am convinced it's an anxiety thing but it seems to come on at random, and causes her much distress. Does anybody have advice?

[scurryfunge]

It may be anxiety......sounds like a panic attack. Talk to her about what triggers these episodes.


Could be her bra is too tight also!

[stickyj]

My teen girl has/had this, it's caused by anxiety we think. Nurse at school told her to breathe into a bag until it stops. She feels anxious then worries that people will laugh at her, so gets even more anxious! Hasn't happened for a while tho'. Just a thought, any pets in her room or is it totally disgusting like my DD's? She has bowls of cereal in there and as I refuse to move them, they go mouldy. I'm sure that can't be good for her either!

[Cushionface]

I don't think it's her bra, as she has it when she's not wearing one! We do have dogs, but she's had it on holiday when we're away from them, and she has it at school, and it comes and goes. I bought her some Rescue Remedy but she doesn't think that helps.

[MooMooFarm]

It does sound like an anxiety thing. It may be worth teaching her some breathing exercises she can do when she feels like this to calm her down. I know it's a well known one to breathe into a bag, but that's not easy to do without anybody noticing!

A good one is to sit with the palm of your hand on your lower abdomen, and concentrate on making your hand move in and out when you breathe, rather than your chest. That stops the hyperventilating that starts when you're anxious, and can make you feel worse.

There are other exercises too if you google it

[cory]

My 14yo has the same and has had for years- anxiety. If it gets bad she wheezes with it too, but it's still not asthma.

[deaddei]

DD has this sometimes- she has OCD and we just give her a paper bag.
She's been to the dr, but it's all in her head.
She is becoming a bit of a hypochondriac.....headache=brain tumour and stomach pain=appendicitis.