irregular heartbeats, unrest and panic attacks

[barrygiggsmails]

I have been through alot lately. I tend to worry to much over everything. All efforts to ease up has always been a struggle. Recently, I started having irregular heartbeats and feeling of panic and unrest even when there's nothing happening. This has been on for over three weeks now. I actually had this same feeling last year but it lasted for a day or two and stopped. This has remained and it's difficult for me to concentrate in my day to day activities. Please help as I am very worried now.

[achillea]

Panic and anxiety can occur even when nothing stressful is going on.  In some people (and their families--there does seem to be a genetic factor), it appears to be a built-in feature, sort of like a tendency to have certain allergies.

There is no shame or blame or even a problem with self-control.   It is simply a medical condition, and in my experience, it can be treated very effectively.

If you have a general practitioner, he or she can refer you to a psychiatrist or a counselor.  I would recommend this over being treated by a GP, because panic really is a specialist's job, and some medication may be necessary.  However, starting with a GP would be better than nothing.

Really, with a few sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy and maybe six weeks on a low dose of an SSRI like Zoloft, you will get your life back and feel a lot better.

[barrygiggsmails]

Thanks a lot. I appreciate..