Rape, asthma and dysfunctional breathing

Functional breathing disorders are common, but poorly understood, causes of respiratory symptoms, and often co-exist with asthma and other respiratory diseases [1–3]. Hyperventilation syndrome is the most recognised form of dysfunctional breathing. It has long been suspected that dysfunctional breathing may have emotional origins, but there is little empirical evidence to support this [4]. A history of rape is a risk factor for dysfunctional...