ELI5: What’s the cause of the "anxiety lump" in our chest during stressful or disheartening experiences?
There are a variety of factors that may impact your development of an anxiety lump in your chest. Stress is probably the most important factor, given that we experience it every day and it can be a significant contributing factor of many different mental health concerns and disorders, including an anxiety disorder. Other factors that may contribute to anxiety lump development include anxiety and protective mechanisms in the body (such as the fight-or-flight response), as well as any biological predispositions you may have. Lastly, environmental stressors that can contribute to anxiety can also impact the experience of anxiety lumps.