Occasional, short-lived instances of "forgetting" to breathe, more accurately described as breath-holding or shallow breathing, can occur, particularly in stressful situations. However, consistently forgetting to breathe to the point of experiencing significant symptoms is not normal and warrants medical attention.
Here's a breakdown:
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Normal Short-Term Breath Holding or Shallow Breathing: It's not uncommon to experience altered breathing patterns during moments of stress, focus, or anxiety.
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Examples: Holding your breath while concentrating on a task, during a tense meeting, or while reading a stressful email. As the reference indicates, heightened states can significantly impact breath.
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Why it Happens: Stress triggers the sympathetic nervous system, which can lead to changes in breathing patterns, including rapid, shallow breaths or brief periods of breath-holding.
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When It's Not Normal: Consistently forgetting to breathe or experiencing significant symptoms alongside breath-holding is a cause for concern.
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Symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin)
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Possible Underlying Conditions:
- Sleep Apnea: Pauses in breathing during sleep.
- Central Sleep Apnea: The brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Anxiety Disorders: Can lead to hyperventilation or breath-holding.
- Neurological Conditions: Some neurological disorders can affect breathing control.
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What to do
If you are concerned that you have forgotten to breathe and are experiencing symptoms, you should consult with a medical professional.
In summary, while brief periods of altered breathing are somewhat common, persistent or symptomatic "forgetting" to breathe is not normal and should be evaluated by a doctor.
