Hello, I am currently in my teenage years, and my parents cannot afford another visit to the doctors office. I am have difficulties breathing and gasping for air, and sometimes my chest feels a little hurt or tight. The doctors diagnosed me with anxiety but how do I cope? I am currently homeschooled and don t have that much interactions and I m constantly thinking about this and I can t stop and it worsens. Sometimes I can spend a while without having breathing difficulties, but I just cannot stop gasping for air. PLEASE PLEASE do not send me a message that will worry me because I m literally shaking right now I just need help on how to cope with this.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. In my opinion you should consult pulmonologist and get done1. Chest x ray2. PUT (pulmonary function test)3. ECG4. 2d echo. Chest x-ray and PFT are needed to rule out pulmonary causes for your symptoms. ECG and 2d echo are needed to rule out cardiac cause for your symptoms. If all are normal then no need to worry much for your symptoms. Your symptoms mostly Anxiety related as you are teenager. So better to consult psychiatrist and get done counselling sessions. Try to identify stressor in your life and start working on its solution. Avoid stress and tension. Be relax and calm.