I'm no expert in this sort of thing, but Google is a blessing: Breathlessness and anxiety are very closely linked. When people experience breathlessness, a common reaction is to become anxious. Unfortunately, becoming anxious also leads to more breathlessness. For this reason, some people can find themselves entering into a vicious circle of ever-increasing anxiety and breathlessness. Breathlessness may occur suddenly or may gradually develop over weeks or months. It can often be a challenging symptom to control. Basic daily activities (e.g. washing and dressing) or types of emotional distress (e.g. anger) can trigger breathlessness. There are things that you can do to prevent or reduce breathlessness; including coping strategies, relaxation and breathing techniques.