Bronchiectasis and Anxiety: 6 Tips for Coping

Most people don’t spend much time thinking about coughing or mucus production. But if you live with a chronic lung condition like bronchiectasis, these things are likely on your mind a lot. And any change in your condition could easily put you on edge.

“For patients with impaired lung function, faster breathing [caused by anxiety] can make that obstruction even worse and further contribute to their anxiety,” says Patrick Flume, MD, a pulmonologist at MUSC Health in Charleston, South Carolina.

Gaining control over your worries can be easier said than done, but it’s possible with the right tools. Try these expert-recommended tips to help you cope with anxiety about your bronchiectasis so you can feel calmer and more relaxed.

1. Find a Self-Care Practice That Calms You

You can practice your self-care strategies in the moment when you notice your thoughts starting to spiral. But it’s also worth employing them regularly, during moments when you’re already feeling calm.

“Just as we learn to ride a bike or drive a car on back roads rather than major highways, practicing [these techniques] when relaxed helps make the technique more accessible during times of anxiety or stress,” says Kim Baron, PhD, a clinical and health psychologist based in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

2. Work on Reframing Your Thoughts

Even minor symptoms can start to feel very scary once you’ve been through a bad flare. Before you know it, you’re crushed with worry and can’t think about anything else other than your symptoms and how you’re going to be able to rein them in.

Rather than jumping to the conclusion that your condition is worsening because you’re coughing more today, for instance, you may be able to reframe your thoughts to be more balanced, says Dr. Baron. Reframing the thought to make it something like, “my symptoms are worse today, but I have experienced fluctuations before and can monitor how I’m feeling,” can help reduce anxiety while maintaining a realistic perspective, she says.

3. Practice Deep Breathing Techniques

“Pursing the lips causes a restriction to the outward flow of air. This actually props the airways open so that the airways do not collapse and trap the air, allowing for more air to get out of the chest,” says Dr. Flume.

4. Be as Active as You Can

The best form of exercise is one that you enjoy and can stick with — consider something like walking, bicycling, or swimming. “We recommend starting slowly and building up from there,” says Flume, who encourages his patients to start by working toward exercising for 15 minutes without stopping. Once they can do that comfortably, he’ll have them gradually increase their intensity.

5. Make Time for Activities You Enjoy

Schedule regular meet-ups with friends or family, carve out a few moments each day for a favorite hobby, or learn that skill you’ve always wanted to pick up. “While these activities can serve as a healthy distraction from worry, their benefits extend far beyond simply taking our minds off our concerns,” says Baron.

6. Talk With Your Care Team

Let your doctor know if you’re having trouble managing your anxiety about your bronchiectasis on your own. “Getting control of mental health issues can make getting control of the physical issues much easier,” Flume says.

Depending on what you’re struggling with, your doctor may recommend that you see a therapist who can teach you coping skills, try an anti-anxiety medication, or join a bronchiectasis support group where you can talk to others who get what you’re going through.