💨
Breathinghigh reliabilitysubtle

Held Breath/Breathing Pause

Temporary suspension of breathing, often indicating tension or anticipation.

AnxietyFearAnticipationStress

Visual Description

Chest still, may be visible tension, stillness in body.

Duration: briefVisibility: subtle

How to Observe

  • Hard to observe in real-time
  • Look for overall stillness
  • Note what preceded breath hold

Context Matters

  • •Freeze response component
  • •Common when surprised or scared
  • •May precede important statement
  • •Often unconscious

Common Misinterpretations

  • âš May be listening carefully
  • âš Could be swallowing
  • âš Note context

Quick Info

Primary Signal
Anxiety
Body Region
💨Breathing
Reliability
high
Duration

brief

Visibility

subtle

Related Cues

Associated Emotions