Knot in throat, feeling like its closing

JD-

Both of those symptoms sound like anxiety to me. I've experienced both from time to time and they do pass. Try to practice some relaxation exercises and deep breathing to relax yourself. It also helps to keep yourself busy and distracted so you're not focusing so much on your physical symptoms.

Something else that has helped me with throat and breathing problems is to pop a mint in my mouth. Between sucking on a mint and producing saliva, you can convince yourself that you are breathing and swallowing properly. My friends think I'm just obsessive about fresh breath when really, I'm just using them as a way to distract and help my anxiety symptoms.

Good luck! Hang in there!

Elizabeth

It's really a matter of how well you can cope and use mental exercises to get yourself through the anxiety symptoms. That's easier said than done, I know. But practicing belly breathing and mindfulness can be a great coping mechanism when you are faced with symptoms of anxiety. Check out the resource page on the main page of the forum for different links to help you practice! And check out YouTube as well.

I would only take the Xanax when you absolutely need it. It can be very addictive and your body can also build up a tolerance relatively quickly and the low dose may not be as effective. It's great when you feel the overwhelming symptoms of an anxiety attack, but that, together with some coping mechanisms, will help you get through it.

Elizabeth