How does anxiety influence respiratory rate?

• A. It decreases respiratory rate
• B. It has no impact on respiratory rate
• C. It can lead to an increased respiratory rate
• D. It only affects heart rate, not respiratory rate

Answer: (C)

Anxiety can significantly impact respiratory rate by inducing a state of hyperventilation, which leads to an increased respiratory rate. When a person experiences anxiety, the body's natural fight-or-flight response is activated. This response causes a release of stress hormones like adrenaline, which affects various physiological systems, including the respiratory system.

As a result, individuals may begin to breathe more rapidly or take shallow breaths, resulting in an increased rate of respiration. This is often accompanied by feelings of shortness of breath, which can further heighten anxiety and create a cycle of rapid breathing. Understanding this connection between anxiety and respiratory rate is crucial in both clinical settings and for self-awareness of one’s physiological responses to stress.