I Feel Crazy Most of The Time

This happened in June of 2011. My Story starts with being in great health for 22 until my house fire happened, Hence my name on here. I was home when it happened. I heard popping noises coming from the garage (turned out to be bike tires and spray paint cans exploding, being the curious creature that I am, I went to check it out. Imagine my panic when I got a face full of black smoke and for the first time in my life being in life and death situation. To make a long story short, I ended up outside in my Pj's in 115 degree heat, watching the fire department put out the fire. Lost the garage and my car, but got Carbon monoxide poisoning in return. (Went to urgent care the next day and was treated for it- so that problem was fixed) But now I'm prone for these Anxiety attacks whenever I hear a popping noise, and in November I went to the ER because I lost feeling in my left side and it felt like my heart was going to pop out of my chest, I thought I was having a heart attack. They sent me home telling me that I was fine after a CAT scan/chest X-ray/EKG that came back normal and that I should just get some rest after being there all night. They said nothing about panic attacks or anxiety. I have moments where I have just the most catastrophic thinking, than my limbs go numb and my hearts starts freaking out. I keep telling myself that It's all in my head but it just makes it worse. Whats wrong with me?!

Just because I feel like sharing here is the photo of what was left inside the garage. And here is what the outside looked liked before it was fixed. (in my defense I didn't start the fire, and I didn't start screaming and crying till the garage door melted off and hit the floor.)

My boyfriend and I moved back in about 2 weeks before my trip to the ER in November. (Everything had been repaired took 5 months though) Even now I still have to check the garage to make sure it isn't on fire. And at night its the worst because I think, "well what if I had been taking a nap or something. I would have died on the couch." and than I think about how the fire department told me that we were 3 minutes from the water heater exploding and taking the roof and the house next to us out. Than the catastrophic thinking kicks in. I've only fainted once, when some kid decided to use a sling shot and launch a rock at our window. It made a large popping noise and I froze. Next thing I know I'm on the floor. I can't move out, stuck in a 30 year mortgage, no health insurance, and I feel like I'm going to crawl out of my skin. What the heck do I do? And do get me started on whenever I see an open flame.

Hello and welcome!

You have been advised well by Kitt, so I will just add my own condolences and say that you acted very bravely in a frightening situation! To have lingering anxiety is completely understandable.

Yes, please do keep posting with us, and look into a county funded program, or a private therapist who works with uninsured patients on a sliding scale. Group therapy is often less expensive and another option.

Best of luck in finding the help that you need, and post anytime. We understand and are here to support you!

Scaredy Cat

Hi

Good to meet you and welcome to the forum. You have had some great advise from Kitt & SC I just wanted to pop in and see hi.

Hibee

I will SC! I slept so great just now, best sleep Ive gotten in months!