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Does anxiety cause constant chest tightness?

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Posted 7/21/2014 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
I was just wondering if anxiety can cause a constant chest tightness/pressure sensation? If I take anti depressants it relieves the sensation somewhat but if I get off of the medication which I desperately want to do because of the weight gain I have been experiencing. It gets extremely bad to the point that I feel like I can't take a deep satisfying breath and I start to get really uncomfortable to the point that I panic. And the sensation is constant from the minute I wake up to the minute I go to bed and some times it feels more severe and thats when I start to feel like I can't breath. The doctors keep telling me they think its anxiety and they never want to run and tests to make sure there's nothing else wrong should I be worried?

It's also very hard to breath while laying on back so I always have to sleep on my side.
Posted 7/21/2014 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi kamikazee. Yes, anxiety can cause chest presssure and tightness. Anxiety cause our muscles to tense up and that can include the chest wall muscles. I have experienced that too, and like you, it seems worse if I'm on my back and or reclined. Have you tried the deep breathing exercises in the resources area of this site? They are a huge help and I use them alot.
Posted 7/21/2014 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the quick reply I also forgot to mention that I have a constant weird sensation where I feel like I'm in a constant daze/dream state. It's really hard to explain but its where I'm like looking at something but yet I'm not. In some ways almost like a drunk sensation. It makes it really hard to focus and deal with day to day life because you feel like your loosing your mind. When all of these symptoms developed years ago I almost want to say it felt like I wasn't getting enough oxygen or blood flow to my brain.
And yes I have practiced breathing exercises I find it hard to do when if feels like your lungs are hitting a brick wall when you take a deep breath.

Post Edited (kamikazee) : 7/21/2014 2:03:58 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/21/2014 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Kami,

Check out the threads on depersonalization. Lordy, how so many of us have experienced this, and many continue to! I had my first experience in first grade. Scared the bejeezus out of me, too. My mind ran rampant with bizarre thoughts that even "I" wasn't real!

I know, I know. It may sound silly now, but when you're going through it, it's downright spooky!








M.
Posted 7/21/2014 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
What is depersonlization? I have heard about it before.
Posted 7/22/2014 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Yea I've read about depersonalization before and have notice other people talking about it. Though I kind of got the impression that with other people that it comes and goes where as mine is constant and has been for the last 5 years. I always feel like I'm high or drunk or whatever the minute I wake up to the minute I go to sleep.
Posted 7/22/2014 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
Your going through what i was going through about a month and a half ago! I went through the exact same thing. took 3 trips to the hospital because of the pressure/tightness. They gave me clonazapam which relieved the tightness/pressure when i took it. Saw my doctor she put me on cipralex. currently on my 6th week. The depersonalization only lasted a week or 2 for me. The pressure/tightness lasted a while but is now gone. Now im dealing with other things :P. You will get better just stay strong! Dont let it hold you back. Go out and do things. When i first felt like that id stay home and wouldn't wanna go out and do anything now no matter how im feeling I don't let it hold me back. I go out and do my normal day even tho i may feel like crap and it does help somewhat.
Posted 7/22/2014 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Deborah, if you type in "depersonalization" in the search feature, you'll see there are many, many posts on this!

I remember the sense of,...well, I guess relief, when I discovered other people had this feeling as well. It helped to calm me and I became less frightened. I encourage you to read what other members have shared regarding this experience.

In short it's feeling like you're in a dream-state and detached. Hard to describe....but the many threads and posts we have on it will illuminate descriptions better than I can do on my own.

I still get it, but definitely am more at peace with it now! :)












M.
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