anxiety and shortness of breath

• The Case of Gary: Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself? by Jim Pretzer, 8/1/97
  • Comments by Ernest Wolf, 9/8/97
    
    

Having posted my earlier message, and then gone on to read the remaining posts of this series (I got behind in my electronic hobbies over the summer!) I find I have more to say. In reading your post, Ernest, I am reminded of a Gestalt "truism": Anxiety is Excitement without breath. When a person stops himself from feeling his feelings (in Gary's case, probably anger at his mother for her criticisms) he accomplishes this, in part, by depriving himself of oxygen -- holding his breath. The result is often a case of generalized anxiety. The body has started to feel a powerful emotion, but was prevented from doing so; it was aroused, but not completely. Anxiety is the limbo between the beginning and the completion of a state of arousal. I would bet that as Gary is taught to pay attention to his breathing in conjunction with relaxation exercises, he experiences increased difficulty in managing his anger. Alternately, he may find it difficult if not impossible to become relaxed as his anger gets in the way.

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