Anxiety and Asthma related?

[southernbell88]

Hey does anyone know if having anxiety can cause asthma? I've had shortness of breath for 9 months and all the doctors told me it was anxiety until I went to a pulmonary specialist and he found I had mild asthma causing moderate airway obstruction. I want to know which came first because if it's asthma causing anxiety then I could get off the anti-depressent I'm on and just take an inhaler, but if it's anxiety causing asthma then I guess I should stay on both? Also this all started when I got mono. Incase anyone has any experience in how these two/three disorders might be related...I'd like some perspective besides the crazy stuff already on the internet. Thanks

[bitesize]

Oh well I know that the use of asthma medication can raise the likelihood of experiencing anxiety symptoms....but it doesn't sound like you've been using much asthma medication. Depression and anxiety can also go hand in hand though??x

[L'espoir]

As far as I'm aware anxiety doesn't cause asthma however from what you said, you might not have anxiety at all. You described shortness of breath but then you now know that is caused by the asthma so now I'm wondering if you have any other symptoms of anxiety?

[Kate*]

Anxiety doesn't cause asthma, but I suppose if you have an anxiety attack it could trigger an asthma attack. My guess is that you had the asthma first, but it can develop at any time. I would talk to your doctor now that you have a diagnosis and see what they say.