Aa
Need Help Now!!!!!!!!
How do you tell yourself that what is happeing to you is an anxiety attack and not a heart atttack? For me that seems to be my worst fear. I have been to the doctor to tell him how I feel and he has given me an EKG, Chest X-ray, Chest CT and all the blood tests in the world. He has assured me that there is nothing wrong with my heart, but for some reason I can't believe him. I have high cholesterol, so I automatically think that's gonna kill me. Every little pain that I have I associate with my heart and the fact that I may die and never see my kids grow up. My question is how to get past it. I take 0.25mg Xanax as needed, but I feel like it just isn't doing the trick anymore. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me. I am having really bad anxiety with chest pain right now so please help!!!!!!
Welcome to the forum....you are among people who completely understand what you're going through and then some. What you describe is one of THE most common anxiety manifestations...the fear of having a heart attack that will bring certain death. What is such a struggle is rationalizing with your brain that it IS indeed anxiety rather than a heart problem. You can say it out loud....you can listen to the docs after you've had umpteen diagnostic tests...you can write it on your forehead with a sharpie marker...but the brain simply doesn't get the message.
The good news is...it is very fixable. The bad news is...it takes some time and some work on your part to fix it. You have to learn how to break that anxiety/panic cycle. If you haven't already...ask your doc for a referral to a psychiatrist who can guide you through the various treatment modalities out there. There are many medications that have helped a LOT of people...and some choose to face the battle with out meds. It's strictly a personal choice. Either way...some talk therapy is vital in learning coping techniques, and basically how to re-train your brain...to rid yourself of that "what if" thinking that goes round and round.
Stick around here, share what you are going through, ask questions...do a search in this forum using keywords like "heart attack", etc...and I think you will be shocked at just how many people share this with you. It is actually very common...and hopefully that gives you at least a little bit of reassurance that you are far from alone. Many of us have been where you are and completely "recovered"....for a long while, if not forever. Anxiety disorders tend to unfortunately be something that sticks with you in one way or another for the long haul...but with some extensive therapy along with meds if you choose...you can learn how to deal with it when it rears its ugly head.
Glad you found us....let us know how you're doing, and please feel free to share with us anything you are comfortable doing so. A lot of us also have journals that we have penned about our very own experiences with this...and they can be helpful to read. Mine are mostly about panic disorder and agoraphobia. Additionally, read thru the health pages under "anxiety"..that will shed a lot of light for you on the various symptoms people experience and other great information.
Take Care...hang in there...we're here for you.
The good news is...it is very fixable. The bad news is...it takes some time and some work on your part to fix it. You have to learn how to break that anxiety/panic cycle. If you haven't already...ask your doc for a referral to a psychiatrist who can guide you through the various treatment modalities out there. There are many medications that have helped a LOT of people...and some choose to face the battle with out meds. It's strictly a personal choice. Either way...some talk therapy is vital in learning coping techniques, and basically how to re-train your brain...to rid yourself of that "what if" thinking that goes round and round.
Stick around here, share what you are going through, ask questions...do a search in this forum using keywords like "heart attack", etc...and I think you will be shocked at just how many people share this with you. It is actually very common...and hopefully that gives you at least a little bit of reassurance that you are far from alone. Many of us have been where you are and completely "recovered"....for a long while, if not forever. Anxiety disorders tend to unfortunately be something that sticks with you in one way or another for the long haul...but with some extensive therapy along with meds if you choose...you can learn how to deal with it when it rears its ugly head.
Glad you found us....let us know how you're doing, and please feel free to share with us anything you are comfortable doing so. A lot of us also have journals that we have penned about our very own experiences with this...and they can be helpful to read. Mine are mostly about panic disorder and agoraphobia. Additionally, read thru the health pages under "anxiety"..that will shed a lot of light for you on the various symptoms people experience and other great information.
Take Care...hang in there...we're here for you.
1 Comments
Home on lunch break. Came feeling anxious I've been struggling with anxiety for 10 years. And I know it's Anxiety took me about 9 years but I know I have retrain my brain and clam myself down. If need to take my Xanax .25. And I split it. I know I'm crazy But this assures me its all in my head. Don't wait to take your meds is my advice. Like I have today and as I am writing I'm feeling better and probably won't take any meds today. I only take them 1-3 times a month so basically 1 1/2. We are not crazy and we are not alone.
hey i have the same heart fears and its a nightmare to live with but if you have had all the tests and they were all normal you have to accept its anxiety, i have had this on and off for 14 yrs. have you thought of having any therapy its a great help and helps you understand the anxiety circle which feeds your brain and makes the symptoms worse. i dont know much about meds maybe you should go back to your doc for a review, if you feel the xanax isn working.
just try to relax and tell yourself its only anxiety - you are not alone
just try to relax and tell yourself its only anxiety - you are not alone
Hi! I completely understand what you are going through - the most difficult thing (that I know from my own experience) is that sometimes, no matter how much you tell yourself that it's only anxiety, it just never seems to work!:-( With me, I get extremely paranoid about every little sensation in my head as I constantly think there's something serious wrong with me. However, today is the best I've felt for ages, but just about 20 mins ago I started feeling slight pins & needles in my face and therefore started to panic (again!!) So I'm sitting at work just now trying to calm down before I leave as I hate travelling on my bus home when I feel this way and can't stop those thoughts of "what if something happens to me on the bus??" etc... Just keep telling yourself that IS only the anxiety and that nothing bad is going to happen to you. Hope you feel better soon!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?
