Ahmed's Story

Ahmed had been diagnosed with Asthma as a child.

His asthma was well managed until he had a bad chest infection and found himself becoming increasingly breathless. Ahmed was rushed into hospital by his family and treated by the medical team.

Since this time, Ahmed has become more anxious about his breathing and is worried about having further asthma attacks. He has noticed that the more he worries the more his breathing is affected.

Ahmed’s consultant suggested seeing the psychologist to understand how his anxiety about another asthma attack was affecting his breathing.

“I wanted more medication, my asthma was getting worse, I was taking my inhaler all the time and I wasn’t confident to go too far away from home. I was frustrated that my doctor didn’t understand and sent me to see a psychologist. I wasn’t making my symptoms up!

I didn’t want to go but my wife made me. The psychologist was very practical. They helped me to notice my symptoms when I was having an asthma attack and that there was sometimes a difference in how they felt.

Over time.....a lot of time.....I was able to work out when my symptoms were due to asthma and when my symptoms were due to being anxious about having an asthma attack. They also taught me strategies to manage my anxiety.

Now, I still have asthma, but I don’t have panic attacks about having an asthma attack and I am back to being me."