I landed roughly on a 4 wheeler years ago, and within a week or two, I had a panic attack. My neck seems to always have a dull ache that gives me tension headaches, a foggy feeling in my head, and anxiety symptoms.
I went to the ER after the first panic attack, not knowing what was happening. The doctor told me that I had an anxiety attack. I had never really felt anxiety before, so this didn’t make sense, but I was relieved anyway.
I then had another and made an appointment with my doctor. I mentioned that these feelings started after I got whiplash, and that my neck is always sore, causing tension headaches, dizziness, and foggy head. I mentioned that I thought this was connected to the panic attack feelings. She ordered an X-ray and EKG, tried to prescribe me a muscle relaxer, and sent me on my way. She just said, “you carry your stress in your neck, and that’s why you’re neck hurts.”
Since then, I began having panic attacks around 2-3 times a year. 4 years ago, I had a really bad one that caused me to cancel a vacation. I then became depressed for a couple of weeks.
I didn’t have a panic attack for 4 years until a month ago. I had a bad one while on a business trip. I came home. I still feel apprehension and dread, like I’m disconnected and scared. I see a therapist, I’ve gone to the chiropractor, I saw my doctor, and she immediately prescribed an antidepressant, which completely made everything 1000 times worse.
I feel that the neck pain has caused this “panic disorder.” I have an appointment with a naturopath who intends on finding the root cause instead of treating symptoms and sending me on my way.
My question is: Is there a way to repair my neck and not have these feelings anymore? How can I get a doctor to listen to me? I know how my body feels, and I was the one there when the injury occurred and symptoms started. The doctors seem to just look at me like I’m a hypochondriac.