So here’s something I’ve been holding in for a while. I think I have undiagnosed or “silent” asthma.

I’ve had multiple episodes where I couldn’t stop coughing—once during the night, a few times at school (like 1st period in 9th grade and 7th period in 10th), and even when there wasn’t school at all. These weren’t just regular coughs either. I felt pressure in my neck and throat, chest pain, and a tight, panicky feeling. I was tugging at my hoodie, hoping it would help, but it wasn’t even the cause.

I told someone at school—Mrs. Brandy—that I might’ve had an asthma attack one night. She asked, “Were you wheezing?” I said no, and she shrugged it off like it didn’t count. But here’s the thing: I started wheezing later. The aftermath was full of signs—wheezing while coughing, migraines, sudden intense coughing at night, and not being able to sleep.

My sister ignored me during what felt like an asthma attack—just grabbed popcorn and went back to her movie. I felt paralyzed from the waist down and couldn’t even get to the living room to grab my mom’s inhaler. When I finally told my mom (who has asthma), she brushed it off as anxiety.

But here’s what asthma really looks like:

- You can have coughing fits, especially at night.

- You might not wheeze during an attack—some people only get that afterward.

- It can cause tightness in the chest, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, and even weird pressure sensations.

- And yes, it can absolutely be mistaken for anxiety, especially if you're not “textbook” wheezing.

I wanted to share this because I know others might be going through something similar and feel ignored, or misjudged. If you're experiencing symptoms, don’t let people gaslight you into thinking you’re imagining it. You know your body. Speak up until someone listens.