I am a 22 year old college student currently at home in Chicago. I am flying back to California this coming weekend. I have suffered with health anxiety for the last 4 years. In october of 2019, I stopped taking my Zoloft as I felt I could handle it. I've been mostly fine, except for now, 9 months later, things seem to be going awry. Starting two weeks ago I started getting frequent palpitations and surges of adrenaline in my chest and body for no reason. Activities as simple mentally as joining a Zoom meeting, or physically as standing up from the couch or walking upstairs, make my heart pound. When I exercise, sometimes it feels like my heart is dropping in my chest, and makes me worry of an arrhythmia. And my chest feels constantly full of butterflies/adrenaline. I braved my fear of Covid today and went to the doctor. I last had an EKG in 2016 that was normal. The Dr did not see reason to do another today, but thoroughly listened to my heart and told me I was okay. He suggested I go back on Zoloft or Propranolol, but said not to worry about any health issues. I am trying to mind over matter and remind myself its just anxiety, but it is overwhelming. Could use some words of advice/reassurance, thank you.
Hello , dont worry charlie ive been through this. i suffered from health anxiety for 9 months nonstop and it was hell. just keep in mind that you are 100% healthy and nothing is wrong with your body.
everything in the human body is connected so it is completely normal when it reacts to racing thoughts,
if your first medication did not help your health anxiety Change it. go for a qualified psychiatrist.
i know few in my region and they have online consultation. let me know if you need something xx
charlie -
I am 35 battling health anxiety for over 20 years . I have papitations , fast heart rate always , except when i sleep. I have been diagnosed with a few things but overall they say I am healthy . My heart has been center of my focus for years. The physical symtoms take over and my mind runs wild thinking the worst even when the doctors tell me im good . I over analyze every feeling in my body. I think we are hyper sensitive to bodily sensations and our anxiety runs with it . Symptoms are there and then it scares us and we get anxious which makes everything worse .
my biggest fear is my heart too, I always get pains and sensations in and on my chest. it’s the worst thing, I’ve had checks and they say my heart is fine but the symptoms wont go away. its the worst feeling 