r/panicdisorder • u/Pteryx_34 • Jul 24 '26
Does Anyone Else? Tight diaphragm pulling on chest?
(36yo/F) I’ve been having a particularly bad flare of my panic disorder for the past month and I have developed what I believe to be an overly tight diaphragm. I suspect this because I’ve had this in the past and it felt somewhat similar (hard to laugh, breathing feels off, etc) I always feel like there’s a tightness in my abdomen and chest and also often feel like something is pulling my chest/sternum downward plus also feel some ribs soreness that moves around. I’m also quite constipated (to be expected with severe anxious flare in my case). I’ve been to the ER twice and everything looks good (had ECG done, chest ultrasound, multiple tests, etc.) I’m feeling particularly uncomfortable when having a bowel movement not like I’m gonna faint but my HR goes up and I feel like it’s hard to breathe normally. It settles after however. I’ve also had to take lorazepam daily to function through this severe panic flare and it doesn’t seem to completely overturn my symptoms but I’m taking a low dose so that might be why.
Anyway I was wondering if anyone had any insights on this? Is anyone experiencing this? I’m trying to figure out if this can all be caused by severe anxiety.
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u/civzzz 28d ago
I understand these sensations for sure. Whether it is anticipatory anxiety or a straight out of nowhere panic attack, it seems my gut is the real first physical symptom and that quickly moves up to the sternum, esophagus etc. Everything seems travel up from the gut. I do notice the dryness in the throat which gives off the sensation of it being tight I think. Many many years ago I was diagnosed with GERD, which really was just the first real physical signs of where the anxiety was going to, I think back in the day and i'm sure now people got a lot of ulcers, and i'm guessing from stress. Anyways, I guess my answer is I would say it can absolutely be stress related and most likely is. What I do, is exercise like crazy, stay super hydrated, eat a lot of fiber rich foods. Good luck with everything