Could All These Thoughts Be Mental?

Posted on Tue, 23 Feb 2021

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 Answered on

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : For the past 20 years I have suffered bouts of air hunger which can last for weeks at a time. I have had my heart and lungs checked numerous times and given the all clear. It feels like I'm constantly sighing and cant take a deep enough breath. Doctors seen clueless and not overly concerned. I have tried antidepressents which did not work at all. Could this all be mental?

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Although it is not possible for me to answer it conclusively but the answer to your question is yes.

Absence of no abnormality with heart, lungs and circulation despite repeated investigations points toward something which can affect the breathing as well as circulation at the same time. With available evidence that organ is brain and presence of bouts of air hunger rather than continuous air hunger in young females indicates possibility of psychogenic origin.

I also like to communicate that medications have little role in bouts of air hunger of psychogenic origin unless someone is either truly depressed or anxious. Most individuals respond well to psychotherapy mostly CBT.

I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (8 hours later)

When the bouts occur they are continuous for days to weeks. I have tried CBT was not very effective. Are there any alternative treatments?

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

I am sorry to know that CBT was ineffective for you. The second best option for episodes of air hunger can be psychoanalytic therapy, one of the oldest mode of psychotherapy.

I hope this answers you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)

Thanks for your help

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for your feedback

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your feedback.

I am glad to know that provided answers were helpful for you.

If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer .
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar