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End Crisis of Emotional Breathlessness for 7.5 Million People
Chronic respiratory diseases affect 7.5 million people in the UK—1 in 8—yet current care treats only half the patient.
The UK National Awareness Survey Report 2025 (Sundar, D.) shows 7 in 10 people are unaware of the vital mind–lung connection.
For those with COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and bronchiectasis, breathlessness is both physical and emotional—an “Emotional Breathlessness” cycle.
This bidirectional loop between anxiety and dyspnea drives avoidable admissions and erodes quality of life, reflecting a failure in care pathways.
With COPD cases projected to reach 600 million globally by 2050, the UK must act now to integrate mind–breath care into national policy.
Stop Ignoring the Terror of Breathlessness for Lung Patients
Stop Ignoring the Terror of Breathlessness for Lung Patients
As a respiratory and mental health specialist with over 22 years’ experience, I witness this vicious cycle daily.
In Gloucestershire, 12,286 people are diagnosed with COPD, yet a “Hidden 8,000” remain undiagnosed and untreated.
This reflects a global emergency, with COPD cases projected to reach nearly 600 million by 2050.
For many, breathlessness is not only physical but compounded by ignored “emotional breathlessness” and panic.
I call on Gloucestershire Health Authorities to act through mandatory mental health screening, proactive case-finding, and integrated comorbidity care.
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