Can't breath during match

[norma1980]

Daughter (11) has started crying during sports matches saying she can't breath. She comes off to try to get her breath.

She's very sporty, no other issues going on but quite emotional and a real worrier.

I want to reassure her. Anxiety runs in my family unfortunately. She's too young to be aware of this and we don't live near family members who are affected.

I know distraction works when having a panic attack but not sure how this works during sports matches when you don't have time to take time out to be distracted.

Any suggestions to help her please?

Have you had her checked for medical causes?

I'd be looking into exercise induced asthma not just anxiety.

Possibly asthma?

No more until she’s been checked out surely?

Thanks all I'm taking her to the gp - this has happened 3 times now (3rd time today) so all quite new but absolutely need to rule out asthma. There's no wheezing or difficulty breathing at other times

@Looolaaa no more sport til she's been checked out?

Have you had her evaluated for asthma?

Is she coughing when this happens? There is a condition called vocal cord dysfunction that can be triggered by exercise or stress. Patients have to learn to counteract the vocal cord spasms that are closing the airway with breathing exercises.

Dd has never had a traditional asthma attack but has always struggled during running particularly during the cold weather. Had a blue inhaler since she was 2 during the winter.

Asthma nurse said it's likely to be cold-induced asthma, and she plays rugby so often it's worst in winter when training. Asthma nurse said although she's never had a full wheezing attack it could happen. She hasn't been officially diagnosed, they don't seem to like doing so as it can limit career choices (military) but treat children who are borderline like DD as if she has it.

As everyone said she needs to be seen by a GP and all the checks need to be done. I had experienced shortness of breath or the feeling like "I can't breathe" for about 3 months. I had xray and some tests etc. All tests came as normal. The doctor said it's anxiety but they didn't give me any advice or medication for anxiety. I started practicing 4-8 or 4-6 breathing. It goes like you slowly breathe in for 4 seconds hold it 1 second and breathe out slowly for 6 or 8 seconds. Breathing difficulty due to anxiety is actually caused by hyperventilating. When you remind your self how to breathe slowly it resets itself. But saying that please get her checked for any physiological reason

She needs checking for asthma. That should be the first assumption, not anxiety.

Thanks all

Will get her checked out asap for asthma.

I had CBT at 15 for anxiety as couldn't get my breath and still can't on occasion due to anxiety. Have had medication over the years for it. I started earlier than my daughter (age 8). I was taken to doctor to check if asthma but was diagnosed with anxiety hence why I thought it may be anxiety. Will obviously get her checked out. Thanks all