When you cry or are extremely stressed, what causes the feeling that you cannot breathe?

Question

When some people are crying, it feels as if something cuts off their air supply and they cannot breathe - only short breaths really slowly. What causes this? Why does it seem that everyone does not have this problem?

Answer 1

I guess it could be compared to singing. Especially if you aren't a trained singer you won't be breating properly and breathing out far longer than you are taking breaths in.
Most people can't do it for any length of time, or when they're finished they are out of breath, even if they have been standing still the whole time.

You are doing something physical (vocal exhalations) when you are crying very emotionally, expending a lot of energy.
Same thing with laughing. Sometimes you laugh so hard you can't breathe.

I think it might have something to do with your diaphragm. Your diaphragm is involved with many things including laughing and crying.
But I mention it because that's the part of the body that is involved with hiccups. The sharp intake of breath that we see with crying seems suspiciously like hiccups to me. Is that the sort of thing you're meaning?

I found this which I thought was interesting- The medical term for hiccups is Singultus, from the Latin, Singult, which translates roughly as "the act of catching one's breath while sobbing."

You might want to try looking up hiccups and sobbing.
If you're just stressed it will be your breathing. (this is to do with your diaphragm also) When people are stressed the breathing is shallow and fast (which can lead to a feeling of breathlessness or hyperventillation).
The opposite is seen in yoga and meditation where slow controlled (diaphragmatic as opposed to upper chest) breaths induce a state of calm and balance co2 levels.

Answer 2

I would advise against this for several reasons. One her age - since she is older and set in her ways a new kitten or older cat would be too much for her. More then likely it would create a lot of stress which in turn can cause medical problems like UTI or other things. Second, you admit she is shy around people and other pets, so why push her to accept someone new in her life. Third she is a female. I find that females tend to take longer to accept a new pet and she probably will not adjust very well. In her best interests, I think you need to just leave her to live out her life as an only cat. Both of you need time to grieve the loss. When she is gone, then I'm sure you will be ready to adopt another kitten or two.

Answer 3

i know what you mean... hmm... i haven't learned this in school. i think it's because when you are too upset or stressed (up to a point of hyperventilation) your body is focusing on the stress or what you feel instead of breathing adequately. notice how sometimes when you cry, you really cry (during exhalation) for a really long time before taking a deep breath in again? i guess it's done a little too fast and the airways tend to constrict when it happens.

Answer 4

it's because u r stressed w. crying n air is used for tht a lot,so thr's less oxygen travelling ard d body.also,whn u cry u dun inhale properly,so thr's more deoxygenated blood than oxygenated blood.

Answer 5

Check out (http://www.reducingstress.net ) there is a lot of great articles and expert advice on the subject there.

Answer 6

Don't have this problem maybe you shoyuld see a Doctor or something.

Answer 7

You are having an anxiety attach.

Answer 8

i think its because its you having panic attacks while crying

Answer 9

Hyperventalation, or smothering yourself

Answer 10

i have the same problem i dont know y that is