Psychosocial Effects of Breathing Problems

According to Mark E. Kunik, MD, MPH, of the Houston Center for Quality of Care and Utilization Studies, more than 10 percent of the United States population suffers from some type of chronic breathing disorder. Breathing problems such as asthma, COPD and breathing-related sleep disorders can be physically distressing and disruptive. For many patients, the psychosocial ramifications of such medical conditions add another dimension to the problem.

Asthma

• According to the National Institutes of Health, children with asthma are "...more likely to have been treated for a mental health problem." These children also experience problems such as school absenteeism, chronic pain and the social isolation of not having a regular group of friends. The University of Chicago's Asthma and COPD Center cites fear, anxiety and hypervigilance, guilt, embarrassment, anger and confusion as common feelings among asthma sufferers of all ages. Effective, consistent control of asthma symptoms along with adequate social support and counseling can help relieve the negative emotional impact of asthma.

Exercise-Induced Asthma

• Exercise-induced asthma can cause sufferers to miss important social interaction.

  Exercise-induced asthma, in which physical exertion becomes a trigger for asthma, afflicts 35-40 percent of people who suffer from seasonal allergies such as hay fever and about 80-90 percent of asthma patients. In children, this breathing disorder often results in an inability to join in sports activities, as well as playground and neighborhood games that involve running and other forms of physical exertion. This can add to a sense of social isolation in a young asthma patient. Adult sufferers of exercise-induced asthma are not immune to the condition's isolating effects, which include a decreased ability to enjoy both informal and organized sports. Some patients overcome exercise-induced asthma by using an inhaled medication before physical activity.

COPD

• COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, can cause a great deal of emotional and psychological distress. According to Robert W. Griffith, MD, COPD causes anxiety in 50 percent of patients, depression in 42 percent and panic disorder in 32 percent. The relatively poor prognosis for COPD patients can result in a vicious cycle, in which a lowered energy level causes depression, which causes even lower energy levels, and so on. Some patients respond well to nonpharmaceutical treatments, such as exercise therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, while others respond better to antidepressant medications.

Sleep Disorders

• Surgical removal eases physical and emotional symptoms of enlarged tonsils and adenoids.

  Breathing-related sleep disorders such as excessive snoring and sleep apnea cause multiple psychological and social issues because of the resulting sleep deprivation. Often thought of as an adult problem, obstructive sleep apnea actually affects 1-3 percent of children in the United States. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are the most common culprit. Disrupted sleep can cause chronic tiredness and irritability, along with a lack of concentration, which can interfere with school work and other learning tasks. Fortunately, removal of the tonsils and adenoids solves the problem in 85-95 percent of cases.