Breathing patterns, emotions and asthma

The association between breathing and psychological state is reflected in common phrases such as 'having breathing room', 'waiting with baited breath' and 'they took my breath away'.

These phrases illustrate the shared understanding that breathing patterns are associated with emotions. This article explores this relationship in patients with a diagnosis of asthma. It also considers whether breathing training may help improve the psychological wellbeing and quality of life of patients with asthma.

Psychological morbidity

Asthma is associated with high levels of psychosocial morbidity such as anxiety disorders¹ and depression². This association is found consistently throughout the world. In a meta-analysis of surveys, which included face-to-face interviews with 85 000 people across 17 countries, respondents with asthma were more likely to report a range of psychosocial disorders than respondents without asthma³.