Hi, over the last couple of months I have been visiting this website for insight. I am 31 years old and just started experiencing terrible anxiety and panic attacks about 3 months ago. I've become obsessed with my health and the thought that there might be something wrong with me. Since April I have had 2 ekgs, full panel blood tests, a cat scan of my head and everything has checked out clear. I do see a therapist every once in a while but stopped because I am no longer insured. Before this mess started I never went to the doctor except to see my gyno annnually. Every health care providor that I have seen has blamed my symptoms on anxiety. Most of my symptoms are on my left side of body near the shoulder and chest. I knows i have a big know in my shoulder and may have strained a muscle during my work out but I can't seem to get the thought out of my head that I might have heart problems or breast cancer. I do not see any changes in the breast except for the occassional pain which happens when I lay down or after a panic attack. Has anyone been able to overcome HA/paranoia? I am usually a very strong minded individual and this has been really hard on me. Thank you
Aside from me being male, this is pretty much exactly what happened to me and the same type of symptoms. I too have gotten the EKG's, blood work and I do see a mental health professional pretty much weekly. I still suffer, but not as much as I used to. Like you, mine started a few months ago as well and thought I was a strong minded individual. I still think I am, and I believe you probably are too and that is also probably why the sytmptoms come on so strong. It's very hard to overcome the feelings of dread and anxiety any time there is change in our bodies because we are so hyper aware of what is happening to us. For me (and might help you out as well), what seems to help me out whenever I feel the anxiety and panic start to creep in is I think back to all the tests that were done and that they were all normal. Even during my worst panic attack, my heart rate and blood pressure were still good. I think back and try to realize that I'm okay, and that I'm doing it all to myself because I thought I was dying when I wasn't. It seems to work, but you need to understand that it won't just go away at the drop of a hat. The anxiety and panic attacks definitely are scary, but just try to understand that you are okay and you will be.
Thank you for the response. It helps to know that there are others like me. My heart rate increases when I am going through my episodes and when they have happened at the doctors they do an ekg and it's fine. I've had 3 ekgs done during my lifetime and all normal. The last one I had done by my gp was April 24th and the only concern he had was the qtc interval being a little long. He double checked it against my other ekg and said he wasn't worried. I have since been back to the office to reconfirm and again he said he wasn't worried and that he wouldn't send me home knowing I may have a heart issue. I asked an ER doctor about it and she too said it's nothing to be worried. I have never second guessed a doctor before but my anxiety gets the best out of me and I start thinking about maybe they made a mistake, etc and I end up in a frenzy. Before my panic and anxiety started I never had issues with heart palpitations. It sucks! Lol
Same here I am only 32 years old and only difference I am a male. Anxiety is horrible. Unfortunately the doctors are correct I have don't tests for blood ,kidneys, thyroid, ct scan and nothing. I am trying to overcome this naturally my self but lately it's been hard . Therapy does help I hope we all start getting better but all I can say is take it one day at a time
That's the hardest part about anxiety and panic attacks, is convincing yourself you are fine when you feel like you're not. My first panic attack, I thought I was having a heart attack and therefore was dying. I went to the ER and they monitored me for about 4 hours before they released me, and they told me I was all normal and that what I experienced was a panic attack. The trigger was the fact that I had been smoking too much, and developed a twitch that went away when I cut back. All you can do is think positive and get your mind off yourself.
You are new to all this. The first year Is rough. Dont blame yourself you didnt do this, now see what resinates with you to self calm,. Therapy is good keeps you grounded and hopefully it teaches you some skills and tools to use.
They sell workbooks. Anxiety, cbt and dbt workbooks, they can help.
Pinterest has a lot of helpful insights as well.
i could make a full page list of options out there but then this would be a very long post and probably overwhelming,
i think overcome isnt the right term. Hopefully you learn to accept amd manage it most of the time. Be very patient. You will change through this , but change is needed.