My mother was told by three doctors that her difficulty breathing is related to stress. She has had numerous tests done and everything comes back normal, except for some signs of asthma. The asthma is not serious and she is on inhalers. But what was noticed during tests was that as she got anxious, her breathing, blood pressure and heart rate went up.

She does have a medical condition, asthma. She is very stressed due to taking care of her sister who is in a nursing home and she does suffer from anxiety. I am not saying that being short of breath is only due to stress, but it does make it worse.

She is almost 80 and won’t agree to seeing a psychiatrist or even a therapist. She’s been this way all of her life, she says. So I try my best to help her the best I can. It is difficult when you know what is best for a close family member but they won’t agree to it.

I’m sure that many of you have been in this position. What have you done to cope or to help?