Agnieszka Kozak
5 maj 2025
Asthma, often referred to as the "silent cry," involves more than just occasional wheezing and shortness of breath. It's as if the body is sending out a subtle SOS, manifesting as tight chests and wheezy lungs. This condition prompts us to consider whether it's more than just a physical ailment.
Consider what happens during an asthma attack. The body’s immune system overreacts to harmless substances like dust or pet hair, known as allergens. This overreaction causes the airways to constrict, making it difficult to inhale deeply and even harder to exhale. In these moments, inhaling feels almost natural, but exhaling can feel like pushing a heavy weight uphill. Panic can set in as breathing becomes shallow, strained, and alarmingly insufficient. Yet, this is not solely a physical occurrence. It’s a full-body experience, a mix of distress and fear often rooted in earlier life experiences.
Seeking Security in Structure
When asthma takes hold, individuals might find themselves seeking refuge in external structures—such as job titles, qualifications, or organizational affiliations—to gain a sense of safety and security. Instead of independently navigating life, it may feel easier to rely on authority figures or established systems. This need for a safe harbor can begin in childhood and persist into adulthood. Children with asthma, in particular, often reflect the deep-seated anxieties of their parents, silently questioning their own strength. In this way, asthma can serve as a subconscious plea for help. "Someone, please help me," the body seems to whisper, "I’m scared."
Emotional Underpinnings
Have you ever felt like you’re holding onto relationships or situations long past their expiration date, or bottling up anger or sadness? Asthma often represents a feeling of suffocation. It symbolizes struggles with relationships, supervisors, or life situations that feel overwhelmingly restrictive, as if trapped in a box. It can result from feeling confined, wanting change but feeling powerless to achieve it. The burden of responsibility, the inability to speak freely, or the relentless demands of daily life can feel suffocating. It’s as if life has become a cage, making breathing—a symbol of freedom—an act of defiance.
Yearning for Safety
Deep down, many with asthma yearn for the absolute safety they experienced in the womb, surrounded by love and having all needs instinctively met. Yet, even this encompassing love can sometimes feel stifling. An overly protective parent, a controlling figure, or a tumultuous home life can create feelings of being smothered or unseen. For some, the fear of asserting independence is so intense that their body chooses to suffocate rather than confront. Asthma becomes a way to signal "I need help," attracting care and attention or avoiding the daunting task of standing alone. "I want to live," the lungs seem to cry, "but I'm too afraid to fully breathe."
Link to a Desire for Love
Asthma often symbolizes a deep-rooted fear of missing out on love, particularly maternal love. The lungs hold onto air much like the heart clings to affection. Individuals with asthma might grow up with the belief that they shouldn’t disturb the peace, remaining unseen and unheard. In moments of emotional suffocation—when their right to breathe, speak, or exist freely feels threatened—an asthma attack can erupt, a tidal wave of unspoken emotions.
Asthma in Childhood: The Initial Signs of Distress
It's notable that many asthma attacks in children occur in September, as they return to school after summer. After months of freedom and fresh air, they are suddenly confined to classrooms and schedules. It's unsurprising their bodies might rebel against this abrupt change. School introduces deadlines and obligations, often resulting in a loss of autonomy. Children experiencing asthma at this time may be reacting against this conformity, their lungs crying out for the freedom they just lost.
Exploring the Biological Perspective
Biologically, asthma can be viewed as an ancient survival mechanism, programmed over millions of years. In the presence of danger, quieting breathing could mean the difference between life and death. If a predator is near, silent breaths reduce the chance of being noticed. Thus, when a child or adult feels threatened—by an authoritative figure, emotional neglect, or constant conflict—their body might instinctively tighten the airways to become "invisible" and safe.
Specific emotional challenges linked to asthma include feelings of invasion of personal space, feeling trapped in an inescapable situation, being overwhelmed by emotional pressure, and a deep fear of change or abandonment.
Infant Asthma: A Profound Call for Connection
Infant asthma is particularly poignant. Babies overwhelmed by fear or emotional turmoil might subconsciously reject life, as if saying, "I just don’t want to be here." This can often be traced back to the emotional atmosphere during pregnancy or early life. Was the mother anxious or overwhelmed? Was there conflict or betrayal within the family? Were the parents struggling to provide a consistent sense of emotional safety? Helping a baby with asthma involves more than medication; it requires enveloping them in unconditional love and creating a calm, stable environment.
Moving Forward: Reclaiming Breath
Asthma attacks often occur after a conflict has ended but the emotional impact remains unresolved. They can signify a healing crisis, indicating that old wounds are surfacing for resolution. True healing involves understanding and resolving the original emotional battles that triggered asthma, building a strong sense of personal safety, and gaining the confidence to be independent. It means allowing oneself to breathe freely, both physically and emotionally, expressing oneself and living authentically.
Asthma reminds us that life requires balance—the dance between giving and receiving, holding on and letting go. Breathing is life itself. Every inhale is an affirmation: "Yes, I choose to be here." Every exhale is an act of trust, a little letting go.
A Fresh Start
Today, I choose to:
Take charge of my life and choices.
Trust in the natural flow of life, even when uncertain.
Stand my ground and claim my rightful space in the world.
Love myself, wholly and without reservation.
Breathe deeply and without restraint.
With every breath I take, I reclaim my independence, personal space, and fundamental right to thrive. I’m learning to embrace life, not remain on guard against it, trusting in the quiet rhythm that sustains me. Asthma, the silent cry, no longer speaks for me. I can find my voice, live my life, love freely, and most importantly, breathe on my own terms.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns.