Can anxiety make you feel like you’re dying even when nothing is wrong?

Yes. Anxiety, especially a panic attack, can make you feel like you’re dying even when nothing is actually wrong in the moment. The body’s stress response can cause very real, frightening symptoms such as a fast or pounding heart, shortness of breath or feeling unable to get enough air, chest tightness, dizziness, tingling, shakiness, nausea, and a sense that something catastrophic is happening.

A few of these symptoms can also be worsened by hyperventilation, which can happen during anxiety and may contribute to dizziness, tingling, and chest tightness.

That said, new, severe, or unusual symptoms — especially chest pain or trouble breathing — should be checked by a medical professional, because some medical problems can feel similar.

If you’ve been evaluated and it’s anxiety, a few things that can help in the moment are:

1. Name it: “This may be a panic attack. It will pass.”
2. Slow your breathing: try breathing in for 4 seconds and out for 6.
3. Ground yourself: use the 5-4-3-2-1 technique to focus on your surroundings.