Breathe…It’s Anxiety: Lessons on COPD & Anxiety

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity in older adults. Psychiatric comorbidities, particularly anxiety disorders, are common yet often underrecognized contributors to COPD symptom burden. Up to 55% of patients with COPD experience clinically significant anxiety, and anxiety-related dyspnea can amplify perceived respiratory distress by 30–40%, often leading to bronchodilator overuse and functional decline. In extended care settings, where multimorbidity is common, failure to integrate psychiatric assessment into medical management may obscure treatable contributors to respiratory symptoms.