Hi I'm 26 years old and live a normal happy life, last September I was flying home and had my first panic attack although I didn't understand that this is what it was to begin with, I came home and was in the bank and felt very faint and panicked. My GP said it was anxiety, then the severe panic attacks came everyday for around two weeks I was put on citalopram, once I felt better I spoke to my GP and weaned off, since then I've felt a lot better the anxiety is still there but not severe and I was able to manage but this past two weeks has been awful, I struggle being left alone, I feel breathless, my chest, neck, throat, back and arms feel so heavy and tight with discomfort/light pain in my chest neck and back, I can't sleep, the panic attacks have begun again and I can't control them. My GP gave me diazepam to help sleep and I've had an ECG which showed up I was having palpitations and my heart stopping for a second to a second and a half, I'm absolutely terrified I'm going to die I can't stop crying I'm having daily panic attacks I'm breathless when doing minimal, im really struggling and my GP keeps telling me It's anxiety but I'm so scared there's more to it than that I feel awful and googling all my symptoms now I'm scared it could be angina, it is really affecting me I just can't control it. I'm now on propanolol started taking these two days ago hopefully these help in some way.
Hi Michelle, I'm so sorry you're feeling so badly. I can definitely relate to you and I know how horrible it feels almost like you're in a black hole and can't get out.
First of all, don't Google your symptoms! You will just scare yourself and chances are it won't pertain to your situation. Most symptoms are found in serious as well as non-serious conditions so that's why it's not good to Google. For example somebody may have severe anxiety and be getting chest pains because of the anxiety . They google chest pains and it shows heart attack. However, anxiety can also cause chest pain. Do you see what I mean?
what I found to be very helpful for panic is listening to the YouTube meditation for that. Just search for panic attack emergency and they guide you through it. There are a few to choose from. They also teach you proper breathing technique for anxiety.
search for " guided meditation for breathing". Do this every single time you feel breathless or anxious. Always go back to your breathing.
You tube also has many meditations for anxiety, depression. Sleep,etc search for guided meditation for anxiety or whatever you want. They completely calm down my mind and body and my symptoms go away or greatly diminish. I think they would be great for you! I do them a couple times a day .
keep in mind that any symptoms related to anxiety cannot hurt you! You may have rapid heartbeat, skipped beats, etc. but it won't hurt your heart!
you are feeling the effects of adrenaline that is released by the brain when you're anxious. Adrenaline speeds up your heart rate and can have other effects .
You Are NOT going to die! Heart palpitations are not dangerous . I have had so many of those along with skipped beats for many years and I am very healthy. All due to anxiety. Millions of people have the same symptoms as you do with their anxiety.
all anxiety begins in the brain. When you are anxious your brain thinks you are in danger, so it sends out the hormone adrenaline to protect you. Like I said adrenaline can Give you a lot of sensations, . When you are actually not in danger, all that energy the brain mustered up has to go somewhere, so it comes out as the symptoms you feel. So, the key is to calm down the brain!!
Do Not sit and think all day
If you can get a book called Mindfulness, it teaches you all of this and how to manage your anxiety and get peace of mind again! It's a white cover book with a ball of tangled string on the cover. It would be a perfect book for you to read!!
So, do the meditations ...very important is the breathing one and others for anxiety
Get the book ...Worth Reading!!
Stay active and social
Dont take life too seriously ...Don't forget to smile and laugh
Be good to yourself
You will be Fine! Just try not to react with anxiety when you get symptoms because that will make everything worse. Go right to the breathing and listen to the meditations.
Never Give Up! You can do this! We are here for you.🌸🌸🌸😃
I am so sorry you are going though this
I am 26 mother of two my life is life yours, I had my first panic attack and thought I was going crazy and about to die. All I can remember was praying and begging God to not take me my kids need me. But it passed since I have health anxiety, I feel like I am always going to pass out, I suffer from derealization, I have chest pains , shortness of breath , numbness, weakness in my legs , feeling like I'm always going to fall. I have had a ECHO on my heart, 48 hour heart montor, tons of blood work he said I have heart palpitations but he said almost everyone does and said I am perfectly healthy yet I still have trouble believing it because of the anxiety and panic attacks. I am also on diazepam and it does help me alot . I had my first therapy appointment Monday and I just broke down and starting crying I told her I want my life back. She told me they will get me better and to be honest I believe they will help me alot so therapy may help you. I have now put my trust in God, them, and myself . I just have to believe I can be strong enough to beat it. We share so many of the same symptoms if you ever want to talk just message me anytime. I have had two small panic attacks just tonight and woke up in one last night and I thought I was going to die but I have made it though.
Hi Jan, thankyou for your message, I have briefly tried meditation in the past but will definitely try it again, I have walked my dog this morning which is something I haven't been able to do on my own for a while this morning and we made it back fine although my stomach feels like it's on fire at the top through anxiety and was getting shooting pains in my head and base of neck, I won't google anymore as you're right symptoms could be serious or more than likely anxiety symptoms, I haven't slept at all in fear of anxiety and panic, I really am going to try again as everyday is such a struggle, I'll look for that book today and give it a read, thankyou for your help it's really appreciated as I don't know anyone that understands anxiety and panic and I feel as though I just sound crazy when I try to tell them.
Hi Brittany, thankyou for your message, although it's a horrible thing we are going through it makes my mind more at ease knowing someone else has the same symptoms as me, it really is horrible isn't it, I've felt like i was going crazy many times I have got a lot better since September but recently it's just hit me again, I have also had blood tests but they're going to do more next week and give me another ECG, do you have any coping mechanisms? Our symptoms are very similar, same applies to you if you ever want to talk to out your mind at ease I'm here, I'm sure we'look all be fine in the end we are just facing hard times at the moment, how are you finding therapy?
Hi , just read your post, so glad you're posting here it really helps, feel as though there are others that understand what you are going through. My anxiety started 20 yrs ago and then there was nobody to reach out to, thought I was mad or something. Thank goodness people can reach out here , though I wouldn't advise googling, with anxiety this will tell you the worst if you recognise a symptom. Must agree your symptoms you have sound like classic anxiety( I know it's hard to believe anxiety can cause all this.) glad you're getting replies, people have such great advice on coping and it's just nice to have support,it's hard to express how bad you can feel to somebody thats never had anxiety. I cope a lot better nowadays, have bad patches, but recognise them now and they are manageable. We always say it won't kill you but the awful feelings can really get you down, racing heart ,muscle pains, racing mind, etc. Keep posting it helps to get things out, talk anytime, and please try anything that may help, counciling , relaxation, and tell your doctor how your meds are doing, may take while to work, could feel a bit yuk at first, everyone's different, ❤️
You are not alone my panic attack has been five days now I know it sucks but if it makes u feel better your symptoms are very normal they're just so scary I wish they would go away but it's something we need to wait out - it's because your body has released alot of the stress chemicals