The physical challenges of managing COPD can sometimes affect your mood and emotional health. Most people living with COPD experience feelings of sadness, fear and worry at times. This is common and normal when coping with a serious illness. But if those feelings don’t go away after a few weeks, or they start to affect your ability to keep up with normal activities and enjoy life, then you may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Recognizing Anxiety, Panic and Depression
Anxiety and depression are both more common in people living with COPD than they are in the general population. Unfortunately, they often go unrecognized and untreated by patients, caregivers and healthcare providers. Taking care of your emotional health does more than just improve your mood. Research shows that managing anxiety and depression can increase your ability to continue with your COPD treatment plan, improve your physical health and reduce your medical costs.
Anxiety and Panic
Clinical anxiety is defined as constant worrying and expecting the worst in a way that makes it hard to function. A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear or anxiety. Panic attacks and anxiety can also cause you to have shortness of breath or change your normal breathing pattern. When this happens, you become trapped in a cycle when your shortness of breath triggers anxiety- making it more difficult to breathe.
To avoid having more COPD-related symptoms, you may start to change your day-to-day activities and become less active. When you are active, you strengthen your lungs, so becoming less active can make shortness of breath worse. Staying active can also have positive effects on your mental health, which can help keep anxiety and depression at bay.
Depression
Clinical depression is a feeling of deep sadness or emptiness that lasts longer than a couple of weeks. It affects your ability to enjoy your work, recreation, family and friends. Depression is a serious illness that affects more than just your mood. If left untreated, it may greatly affect your ability to stay active and enjoy your life.
Things You Can Do
Although anxiety and depression are common in people with COPD, they should never be ignored and left untreated. There are steps you can take to help yourself feel better.
If You Are a Caregiver
Sometimes the best thing you can do as a caregiver is to listen. It might be tempting to try to problem solve, but sometimes just lending an ear is the best medicine. However, don't be afraid to suggest your loved one talk to a professional and call their healthcare provider immediately if you believe they are a danger to themselves.
The stress of caring for a loved one with COPD can take a toll on your own mental and emotional health. As a caregiver, it is normal to struggle at times with feelings of anger, frustration and guilt. To avoid being overwhelmed, it is important to take the time to care for your own health and well-being.
Reviewed and approved by the American Lung Association Scientific and Medical Editorial Review Panel.
Page last updated: June 7, 2024
